How to Select the Right Barbering College Near Prescott Valley Arizona

Once you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Prescott Valley AZ, the process begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the program you pick not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be a little bit puzzled 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 concerning that in the following segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Prescott Valley residence. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when evaluating potential barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not always the best choice. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a 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 Barber Schools

Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Prescott Valley AZ home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly 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 initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber school you enroll in 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 measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Prescott Valley AZ for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many 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 school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Prescott Valley AZ barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, consult 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 Focus?  Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you pick a school that specializes in 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 dream is to open a barber shop in Prescott Valley AZ, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided?  Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Prescott Valley AZ barber school offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So look for alternate schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he receives aid in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with local businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Prescott Valley AZ area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask 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 Available?  Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an option until you find out what financial aid may be offered in Prescott Valley AZ.

How to Choose a Barber School in Prescott Valley

Choose in the Right Prescott Valley Barber College

Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is important to obtain the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to consolidate all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional barber in Prescott Valley Arizona.

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