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Questions to Ask Barber Schools
Following is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Landover MD home, together with the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue 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 preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have compiled several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber training program you pick 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Landover MD businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Landover MD barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with the Maryland school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective 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 dream is to open a barber shop in Landover MD, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves plenty 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 real people. If a Landover MD barber school provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find other 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 gets assistance in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with area employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Landover MD area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to 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 as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an alternative until you determine what financial aid may be offered in Landover MD.