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What to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a series of questions that you need to look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your North Fair Oaks CA residence, as well as the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary 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 initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber school 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 meet their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of North Fair Oaks CA employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with North Fair Oaks CA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And last, check with the California school licensing authority to find out 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 broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example 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 objective is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your dream is to launch a barber shop in North Fair Oaks CA, 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 provide the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a North Fair Oaks CA barber college furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she receives aid in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with area businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which North Fair Oaks CA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult 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 cost, do not drop it as an option before you determine what financial aid may be available in North Fair Oaks CA.