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Questions to Ask Barber Colleges
Following is a list of questions that you should research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Chelmsford MA residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber college 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 measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Chelmsford MA businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Chelmsford MA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And finally, check with the Massachusetts 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? Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you enroll in a school that focuses on 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 aspiration is to start a barber shop in Chelmsford MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach 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 Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Chelmsford MA barber school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that he or she receives support in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with area businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Chelmsford MA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an option before you learn what financial aid may be provided in Chelmsford MA.