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Questions to Ask Barbering Schools
Following is a list of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Discovery Bay CA home, together with the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want 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 should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber college you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Discovery Bay CA employers will not recruit 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 college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Discovery Bay CA 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 propose others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the California school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative 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 desire is to open a barber shop in Discovery Bay CA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Discovery Bay CA barber school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore search for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he gets support in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with area businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Discovery Bay CA 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 extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an alternative before you learn what financial aid may be offered in Discovery Bay CA.