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What to Ask Barber Colleges
Below is a list of questions that you need to look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Coral Terrace FL home, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely 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 reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have collected some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber college you pick 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 superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for getting 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 final benefit, a number of Coral Terrace FL 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 Good Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Coral Terrace FL barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, contact the Florida school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you choose 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 start a barber shop in Coral Terrace FL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Coral Terrace FL barber school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he receives help in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with local employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Coral Terrace FL area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? 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. 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 available to students as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an option before you learn what financial assistance may be provided in Coral Terrace FL.