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What to Ask Barber Schools
Following is a list of questions that you should research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Lincoln Park MI residence, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish 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 should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber college you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Lincoln Park MI employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Lincoln Park MI barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, 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 total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you choose 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 respected for that program. If your desire is to launch a barber shop in Lincoln Park MI, then you need 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 deliver the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Lincoln Park MI barber college offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So search for other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that he or she receives assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with local businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Lincoln Park MI area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and identify 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 meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an option until you determine what financial assistance may be offered in Lincoln Park MI.