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What to Ask Barber Schools
Following is a list of questions that you should research for any barber school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Wyandotte MI home, in addition to the cost 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 choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber training program you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged 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 may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Wyandotte MI employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding 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. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Wyandotte MI barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. Finally, check with the Michigan school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose 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 vision is to open a barber shop in Wyandotte MI, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided 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 Wyandotte MI barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she gets assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with area employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Wyandotte MI area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn 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 option before you learn what financial help may be offered in Wyandotte MI.