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Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Santa Ana CA home, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue 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. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber training program you choose 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Santa Ana CA businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. 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, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Santa Ana CA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And finally, check with the California school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you pick a school that focuses on 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 vision is to open a barber shop in Santa Ana 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 poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes 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 Santa Ana CA barber school offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that she or he receives aid in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with local businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Santa Ana CA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved 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 meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an option before you find out what financial help may be available in Santa Ana CA.