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What to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Clarksburg MD home, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber college you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Clarksburg MD employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Clarksburg MD barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. Finally, consult the Maryland school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you enroll in a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 launch a barber shop in Clarksburg MD, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Clarksburg MD barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. So try to find alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he gets assistance in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with area employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Clarksburg MD area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to 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 accessible to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an option before you learn what financial assistance may be provided in Clarksburg MD.