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What to Ask Barbering Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you should look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Midland TX home, together with the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber training program you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged 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 assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Midland TX employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. 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 regarded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Midland TX barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the Texas school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you decide on a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 launch a barber shop in Midland TX, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Midland TX barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for acquiring your skills. So search for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that he or she gets aid in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with local employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Midland TX area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an option before you learn what financial help may be offered in Midland TX.