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Questions to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Council Bluffs IA home, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue 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 initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber college you choose 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Council Bluffs IA businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Council Bluffs IA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, 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 Iowa 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 Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to open a barber shop in Council Bluffs IA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities requires 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 campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Council Bluffs IA barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So try to find other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he gets help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with local employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Council Bluffs IA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, 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 Offered? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an option until you find out what financial assistance may be offered in Council Bluffs IA.