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What to Ask Barbering Schools
Following is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Tuscaloosa AL home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have compiled several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber college you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Tuscaloosa AL businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Tuscaloosa AL barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the Alabama school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you decide on a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to launch a barber shop in Tuscaloosa AL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Tuscaloosa AL barber school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So look for other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she receives aid in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with local employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Tuscaloosa AL area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an option until you find out what financial aid may be available in Tuscaloosa AL.