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What to Ask Barbering Schools
Below is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Glendale AZ residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue 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 initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber training program you choose 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Glendale AZ employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Glendale AZ barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And last, contact the Arizona school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you enroll in a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to start a barber shop in Glendale AZ, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Glendale AZ barber college furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So look for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that she or he receives aid in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with area businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Glendale AZ area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, 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 Available? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you determine what financial help may be provided in Glendale AZ.