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Questions to Ask Barber Colleges
Following is a list of questions that you need to look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Frenchtown MI home, together with the cost of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Frenchtown MI businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Frenchtown MI barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. Finally, consult the Michigan school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you enroll in a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal 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 dream is to open a barber shop in Frenchtown MI, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Frenchtown MI barber school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that he or she receives assistance in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help develop relationships with area employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Frenchtown MI area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an option until you learn what financial help may be provided in Frenchtown MI.