How to Pick the Best Barber Training Near Citrus Heights California

Now that you have decided to attend a barber school near Citrus Heights CA, the process begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the program you select not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be somewhat unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll talk a bit more about that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Citrus Heights residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical aspect when reviewing potential barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the ideal option. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing 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 Choose Barbering?

Barbering is an art form, according to many, so it’s no surprise that individuals interested in becoming a barber must become authorities before they can command a barber’s chair. And one of the best and most effective ways to do so is through a comprehensive educational program. Since the early 1880s, barbering has been a tradition among men. Visiting the barber shop was often a weekly occasion, where a shave and a cut, and a little socialization among friends, were as popular as a trip to the local saloon. The barber experience still lives on, and many say it is even making a comeback as men realize the value of a great cut and a close shave. Today’s barbers must be able to deliver the highest quality services to their clients, services that cannot be found at a local mall hair salon or a unisex discount salon. Therefore, a solid education, complete with plenty of hands-on training, is a must. It is also a must for licensure, a requirement in every state. Although some states do recognize an apprenticeship as a route to licensure, all states recognize an accredited program.

Questions to Ask Barbering Training Programs

Below is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Citrus Heights CA home, together with the cost of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue 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 additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber College 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 recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Citrus Heights CA 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 employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Citrus Heights CA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. Finally, consult the California school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you decide on 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 respected for that program. If your vision is to open a barber shop in Citrus Heights CA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided?  Studying and refining barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Citrus Heights CA barber college provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So search for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that he or she receives assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help develop relationships with area employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Citrus Heights CA area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an option until you determine what financial aid may be available in Citrus Heights CA.

How to Become a Barber in Citrus Heights

Enroll in the Right Citrus Heights Barber School

Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is important to receive the proper training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, 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 ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to start your career as a professional barber in Citrus Heights California.

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