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What to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Haltom City TX home, as well as the cost of tuition, will probably 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 must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber school 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 assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Haltom City TX businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals 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 industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Haltom City TX barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, 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. And last, contact the Texas school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing 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 essential that you choose a school that specializes in 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 Haltom City TX, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Haltom City TX barber college offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that he or she receives help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with local employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Haltom City TX area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and identify 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 offered to students too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an option until you learn what financial aid may be provided in Haltom City TX.