How to Find the Best Barbering School Near Huntsville Alabama

Since you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Huntsville AL, the task begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It's important that the program you pick not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might 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 essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We'll talk a little bit more concerning that in the upcoming segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Huntsville home. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when assessing potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the ideal choice. There are several other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.

Why Choose Barbering?

Barbering, which is as old as America itself, is certainly a career steeped in tradition. Many of today’s barbers use the same equipment or tools, practice the same techniques, and retain the atmosphere of barber shops of long ago. In fact, not much has changed in barbering, as this profession is considered an art form that requires skill, training, a steady hand, and a sharp eye. As a barber, you get to specialize in the cutting, trimming, and styling of hair, mustaches, and beards. Barbers are the specialists in masculine style, providing facial, shaving, and hair-cutting services to men. The barber career choice has also seen a recent resurgence or rise in popularity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of barbers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. If you’re passionate about beginning a career in the barber industry and are ready to blaze a path in this booming industry, then entering this particular field does require you to obtain specialized schooling.

Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges

Below is a list of questions that you will want to research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Huntsville AL residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn 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 preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber school you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, 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 essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Huntsville AL for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Huntsville AL barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. Finally, consult 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?  Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden 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 goal is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to start a barber shop in Huntsville AL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided?  Practicing and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Huntsville AL barber college furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So try to find alternate schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that he or she receives help in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help develop relationships with area businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Huntsville AL area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an alternative until you determine what financial aid may be offered in Huntsville AL.

How to Train in Barbering in Huntsville

Enroll in the Right Huntsville Barber School

Selecting and enrolling in the right barber training program is imperative to receive the necessary training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your new career as a professional barber in Huntsville Alabama.

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