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What to Ask Barber Schools
Following is a series of questions that you should research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Richmond KY home, together with the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber school you select 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 meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Richmond KY businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might 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 an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Richmond KY barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And last, consult the Kentucky 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 Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you decide on a school that focuses on 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 well regarded for that program. If your vision is to open a barber shop in Richmond KY, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Richmond KY barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore look for other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that he or she receives assistance in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with area employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Richmond KY area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and identify 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 available to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an alternative before you find out what financial aid may be provided in Richmond KY.