How to Choose the Right Barbering College Near Prescott Valley Arizona

Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Prescott Valley AZ, the process starts to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the program you pick not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be somewhat 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 refer to the same type of school. We'll talk a little bit more about that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Prescott Valley residence. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not automatically the best option. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are thinking about later within 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.

Questions to Ask Barber Schools

Below is a series 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 relative to your Prescott Valley AZ home, as well as the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish 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 initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber school you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Prescott Valley AZ for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Prescott Valley AZ barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And finally, check with the Arizona school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you decide on 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 launch a barber shop in Prescott Valley AZ, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.

Is Plenty of Live Training Provided?  Practicing and refining barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Ask 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 enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Prescott Valley AZ barber college provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that he or she gets assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with local employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Prescott Valley 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 wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an option before you learn what financial aid may be offered in Prescott Valley AZ.

How to Train to Be a Barber in Prescott Valley

Choose in the Best Prescott Valley Barber School

Locating and enrolling in the right barber school is imperative to get the necessary training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to compile all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. 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. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your career as a professional barber in Prescott Valley Arizona.

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