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What to Ask Barbering Colleges
Following is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Walpole MA residence, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely be your initial 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 initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber training program 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Walpole MA employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding 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 referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Walpole MA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And last, consult the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you enroll in a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to open a barber shop in Walpole MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Walpole MA barber school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that she or he gets support in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with area employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Walpole MA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask 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 Assistance Offered? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you find out what financial aid may be available in Walpole MA.