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What to Ask Barber Colleges
Following is a list of questions that you need to research for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Bel Air North MD residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber training program you enroll in 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 meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available 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 Bel Air North MD businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Bel Air North MD 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 suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, check with the Maryland school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative 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 respected for that program. If your desire is to start a barber shop in Bel Air North MD, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach 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 Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Bel Air North MD barber college furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that he or she receives aid in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with area businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Bel Air North MD area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, 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 Assistance Available? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you find out what financial aid may be available in Bel Air North MD.