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Questions to Ask Barbering Schools
Following is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Stoughton MA residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt 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. Following we have put together several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber school you enroll in 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 measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Stoughton MA businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses 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 agencies. If you have any connections with Stoughton MA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, check with the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a barber shop in Stoughton MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct 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 Any Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask 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 real people. If a Stoughton MA barber school provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that he or she gets help in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with area businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Stoughton MA area shops and establishments 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 regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Consult 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 also. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an option before you find out what financial help may be provided in Stoughton MA.