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Questions to Ask Barber Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Kannapolis NC residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably 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 must research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber college you pick 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 measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Kannapolis NC businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Kannapolis NC barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And finally, consult 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? A number of beauty 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 broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you choose a school that specializes in 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 desire is to launch a barber shop in Kannapolis NC, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished 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 real people. If a Kannapolis NC barber college offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So search for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that she or he receives assistance in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with local employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Kannapolis NC area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn 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 available to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an option until you find out what financial help may be available in Kannapolis NC.