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What to Ask Barbering Colleges
Following is a list of questions that you should research for any barber college you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your San Francisco CA home, as well as the price of tuition, will most likely be your first 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 options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber training program you select 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 meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of San Francisco CA employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber college 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 references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with San Francisco CA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And finally, check with the California school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as 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 goal is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your desire is to start a barber shop in San Francisco CA, then you want 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 provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a San Francisco CA barber college offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that he or she receives support in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with local employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which San Francisco CA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out 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 Available? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. 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 available to students as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an option before you learn what financial aid may be offered in San Francisco CA.