How to Enroll In the Right Barber Training Program Near Fountain Hills Arizona

Once you have decided to attend a barber school near Fountain Hills AZ, the process begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the program you choose not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be a little bit confused about the distinction 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 discuss a little bit more about that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Fountain Hills home. Tuition will likewise be a critical factor when assessing potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not always the best option. There are many other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's talk 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 should research for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Fountain Hills AZ home, 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 no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber training program you select 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 measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Fountain Hills AZ 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 employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating 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. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Fountain Hills AZ barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And last, check with the Arizona school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that specializes in 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 vision is to start a barber shop in Fountain Hills AZ, 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 poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Practicing and mastering barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Fountain Hills AZ barber college offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that he or she receives support in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with area businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Fountain Hills AZ area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at 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 as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an alternative before you learn what financial aid may be offered in Fountain Hills AZ.

How to Choose a Barber School in Fountain Hills

Choose in the Right Fountain Hills Barber College

Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber college is imperative to receive the proper training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are ready to begin your new career as a professional barber in Fountain Hills Arizona.

Fountain Hills Barbering Training | Fountain Hills College Of Barbering