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What to Ask Barbering Schools
Following is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Milton MA home, as well as the expense of tuition, will most likely 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 narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber school you pick 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Milton MA businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references 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 sought after. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Milton MA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. Finally, contact the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you decide on a school that specializes in 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 dream is to open a barber shop in Milton MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Milton MA barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So try to find other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she receives aid in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with local businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Milton MA area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with 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 offered to students too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an option before you learn what financial aid may be available in Milton MA.