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What to Ask Barber Colleges
Below is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Marshalltown IA residence, together with the price of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want 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 initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have put together several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential 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 guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for obtaining 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 concluding benefit, numerous Marshalltown IA employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Marshalltown IA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, check with the Iowa school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full 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 frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to start a barber shop in Marshalltown IA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Marshalltown IA barber college furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. So try to find alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he receives aid in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with local businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Marshalltown IA area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn 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 as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you find out what financial help may be available in Marshalltown IA.