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Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you should look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Harrisburg NC residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber college you enroll in 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 measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Harrisburg NC businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating 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 businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Harrisburg NC barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And last, contact the North Carolina 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 comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you enroll in a school that focuses on 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 start a barber shop in Harrisburg NC, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Harrisburg NC barber school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he receives assistance in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help develop relationships with local businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Harrisburg NC area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak 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 offered to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an option until you learn what financial help may be offered in Harrisburg NC.