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What to Ask Barber Schools
Following is a series of questions that you should look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Saint Augustine FL residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first 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 reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have put together several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber school you pick 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 superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Saint Augustine FL employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Saint Augustine FL barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And finally, contact the Florida school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to launch a barber shop in Saint Augustine FL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Saint Augustine FL barber school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that he or she gets help in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with local businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Saint Augustine FL area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an option before you find out what financial help may be offered in Saint Augustine FL.