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What to Ask Barbering Schools
Following is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Forrest City AR home, as well as the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber school you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently 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, numerous Forrest City AR employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably 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 outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Forrest City AR barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And last, consult the Arkansas school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you pick 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 respected for that program. If your dream is to open a barber shop in Forrest City AR, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Forrest City AR barber college offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for acquiring your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she receives aid in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help develop relationships with area employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Forrest City AR area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad 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. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out 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 fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an option before you find out what financial assistance may be offered in Forrest City AR.