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Questions to Ask Barbering Schools
Below is a list of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Concord MA residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn 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 initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber training program you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Concord MA businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber school 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 references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Concord MA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. Finally, check with the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering 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 choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to start a barber shop in Concord MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Concord MA barber college furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So try to find alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he receives aid in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with local businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Concord MA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an alternative before you determine what financial aid may be available in Concord MA.