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What to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a list of questions that you will want to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your College Station TX home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn 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 should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber college you choose 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 comply with their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous College Station TX businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with College Station TX barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And finally, contact the Texas school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to launch a barber shop in College Station TX, 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 provide the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a College Station TX barber school offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that she or he receives help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with local businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which College Station TX area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify 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 satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an option before you determine what financial help may be offered in College Station TX.