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What to Ask Barbering Colleges
Below is a list of questions that you should research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Berkley MI residence, in addition to the cost 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 reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber college you choose 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Berkley MI businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Berkley MI barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And finally, check with the Michigan school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete 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, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you decide on a school that focuses on 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 respected for that program. If your dream is to start a barber shop in Berkley MI, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Berkley MI barber college furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he receives assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with local employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Berkley MI area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and find out 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 offered to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an option until you learn what financial assistance may be provided in Berkley MI.