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What to Ask Barber Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your North Lauderdale FL home, as well as the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber training program you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for securing 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, numerous North Lauderdale FL 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? Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with North Lauderdale FL 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 might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the Florida school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you enroll in a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective 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 desire is to start a barber shop in North Lauderdale FL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a North Lauderdale FL barber school offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. Therefore search for other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that she or he receives help in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with area employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which North Lauderdale FL area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an alternative until you learn what financial aid may be available in North Lauderdale FL.