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What to Ask Barber Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Oildale CA home, together with the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
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 recognized 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 guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Oildale CA businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Oildale CA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And finally, consult the California 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 cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive 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 select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your intention 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 Oildale CA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Oildale CA barber college furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that he or she receives aid in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with local employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Oildale CA area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an option until you determine what financial assistance may be provided in Oildale CA.