How to Pick the Best Barbering Academy Near Dothan Alabama
Once you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Dothan AL, the task starts to find and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the school you select not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be a little bit confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more about that in the following segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Dothan home. Tuition will likewise be a critical factor when assessing possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the right option. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Become a Barber?
Barbering can be considered a subspecialty in the larger field of cosmetology. While cosmetologists train to work in hair, nails, skin, makeup, and overall beauty enhancement, barbers focus on cutting hair, almost exclusively men’s hair, and giving shaves and trimming facial hair. They might learn specialized techniques such as coloring and permanent waving like cosmetologists do, but it’s not essential. Barbers and cosmetologists also earn different licenses that specify which services they can legally perform. The first step to becoming a barber is to complete a barbering program. You might choose to enroll in a dedicated barber school or sign up for a barbering program in a cosmetology school that offers barbering as a specialty. Because states have different requirements for training and licensure, it is important to start by checking with your state cosmetology board.
What to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a list of questions that you will want to research for any barber school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Dothan AL residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will most likely be your initial 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 take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber training program you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Dothan AL for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively 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 excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. 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, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Dothan AL barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, contact the Alabama school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you enroll in a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your ambition is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your dream is to start a barber shop in Dothan AL, then you need 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 involves lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Dothan AL barber school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So search for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that she or he receives aid in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with area businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Dothan AL area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out 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 too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an option before you learn what financial help may be provided in Dothan AL.
How to Become a Barber in Dothan
Choose in the Right Dothan Barber School
Finding and enrolling in the right barber school is imperative to obtain the proper training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to launch your new career as a professional barber in Dothan Alabama.