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Questions to Ask Barbering Schools
Below is a list of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your White Lake MI home, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt 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 must research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have collected some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber training program you pick 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 guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which often 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 White Lake MI employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with White Lake MI barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And finally, contact the Michigan school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to start a barber shop in White Lake MI, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a White Lake MI barber school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for developing your skills. So try to find alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she receives aid in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with local businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which White Lake MI area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Talk to 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 accessible to students too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an option before you learn what financial help may be provided in White Lake MI.