How to Enroll In the Best Barber College Near Costa Mesa California

Since you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Costa Mesa CA, the process begins to locate and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the school you select not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be somewhat confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll talk a little bit more regarding that in the upcoming section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Costa Mesa home. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when assessing prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not always the best option. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding 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 Choose Barbering?

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

Following is a series of questions that you should look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Costa Mesa CA home, together with the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have put together several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber training program you pick 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Costa Mesa CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Costa Mesa CA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, 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 California school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you choose 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 desire is to launch a barber shop in Costa Mesa CA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Costa Mesa CA barber college offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore search for other schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  When a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he receives support in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with local employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Costa Mesa CA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Talk to 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 offered to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an option until you find out what financial aid may be offered in Costa Mesa CA.

How to Choose a Barber College in Costa Mesa

Choose in the Right Costa Mesa Barber School

Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber college is essential to get the proper 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 consolidate all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you pick are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional barber in Costa Mesa California.

Costa Mesa Barber Colleges | Costa Mesa How To Become A Barber