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What to Ask Barber Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Oak Park CA home, together with the price of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber school you pick 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available 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 Oak Park CA businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Oak Park CA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And finally, consult the California school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? 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 often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you pick a school that specializes in 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 dream is to launch a barber shop in Oak Park CA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Oak Park CA barber college furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. So 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 college, it's imperative that she or he gets assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with local businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Oak Park CA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance 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. Speak with a counselor and identify 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 each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an alternative until you learn what financial help may be available in Oak Park CA.