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What to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a series of questions that you should research for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Canton MA home, as well as the cost of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have collected some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber training program you enroll in 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically 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 concluding benefit, a number of Canton MA businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Canton MA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, contact the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your intention 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 desire is to open a barber shop in Canton MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Canton MA barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So search for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that he or she receives help in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help develop relationships with area employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Canton MA area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn 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 available to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an option before you determine what financial aid may be provided in Canton MA.