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Questions to Ask Barber Schools
Following is a series of questions that you should research for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Stockton CA home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will probably 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 preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber training program you enroll in 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 assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered 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 Stockton CA employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Stockton CA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might 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 submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently 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 respected for that program. If your desire is to open a barber shop in Stockton CA, then you want 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 provide the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Stockton CA barber college furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that he or she gets help in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with area businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Stockton CA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might 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 meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an alternative until you find out what financial help may be available in Stockton CA.