Questions to Ask Barber Colleges
Following is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Fond Du Lac WI home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber college you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Fond Du Lac WI for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Fond Du Lac WI barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And last, check with the Wisconsin school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your vision is to launch a barber shop in Fond Du Lac WI, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Fond Du Lac WI barber college furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. So search for alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that he or she receives assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with local employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Fond Du Lac WI area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an alternative until you learn what financial aid may be available in Fond Du Lac WI.