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What to Ask Barbering Schools
Following is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Santa Rosa CA home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first 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 collected some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber school you enroll in 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Santa Rosa 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 Good Reputation? Each 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 businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Santa Rosa CA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And finally, contact the California school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you decide on a school that focuses on 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 respected for that program. If your aspiration is to start a barber shop in Santa Rosa CA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Santa Rosa CA barber school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that he or she receives help in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with local businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Santa Rosa CA area shops and businesses 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? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Consult 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 offered to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you find out what financial aid may be offered in Santa Rosa CA.