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Questions to Ask Barber Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Easton MA residence, together with the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn 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 even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
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 agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Easton MA employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good 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, showing that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Easton MA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. Finally, check with the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you choose a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your intention is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to start a barber shop in Easton MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Easton MA barber school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she receives assistance in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with area employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Easton MA area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Almost all barber schools provide 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 identify what student loans or grants you may qualify 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 meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an option before you determine what financial assistance may be available in Easton MA.