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What to Ask Barbering Schools
Following is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Auburn Hills MI home, together with the price of tuition, will most likely be your primary 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 options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber college you choose 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 meet their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Auburn Hills MI businesses 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 evaluating 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 businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Auburn Hills MI barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, check with the Michigan school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently 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 sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your vision is to start a barber shop in Auburn Hills MI, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting 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. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Auburn Hills MI barber school offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So try to find alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that he or she receives help in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with local employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Auburn Hills MI area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you determine what financial help may be available in Auburn Hills MI.