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Questions to Ask Barbering Schools
Below is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Muscatine IA home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue 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 even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have put together several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber training program you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Muscatine IA businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent 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 references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Muscatine IA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the Iowa school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you enroll in 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 well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to open a barber shop in Muscatine IA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Muscatine IA barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So look for other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he gets assistance in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with area employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Muscatine IA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, 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 Assistance Offered? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an alternative before you learn what financial aid may be offered in Muscatine IA.