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What to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your San Fernando CA home, as well as the price of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College 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 agency, 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 necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many San Fernando CA businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent 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. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with San Fernando CA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might 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 submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important 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 well regarded for that program. If your desire is to launch a barber shop in San Fernando CA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty 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 make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a San Fernando CA barber school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So look for other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that she or he gets assistance in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with area employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which San Fernando CA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded 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 considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an alternative until you determine what financial help may be provided in San Fernando CA.