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What to Ask Barbering Schools
Following is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Woodland CA home, as well as the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn 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 preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have put together several of those additional 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 certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Woodland 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 a Great Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Woodland CA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And finally, consult 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 cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 vision is to start a barber shop in Woodland CA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Woodland CA barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he gets help in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with local businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Woodland CA area shops and establishments 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 Assistance Available? Many 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. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an option until you find out what financial aid may be provided in Woodland CA.