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What to Ask Barber Colleges
Below is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Quincy MA residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber training program you enroll in 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 assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Quincy MA employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Quincy 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 propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, consult the Massachusetts school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you enroll in 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 launch a barber shop in Quincy MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Quincy MA barber college offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she gets aid in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help develop relationships with area businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Quincy MA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Talk to 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 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 until you learn what financial assistance may be available in Quincy MA.