How to Enroll In the Best Barbering College Near Northridge California

Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Northridge CA, the task begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the program you pick not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be rather unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a little bit more concerning that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Northridge home. Tuition will also be a critical factor when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the ideal option. There are various other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.

Why Become a Barber?

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.

What to Ask Barber Training Programs

Below is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Northridge CA home, together with the price of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have compiled several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber college you select 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Northridge CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Each barber school 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 employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Northridge CA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, contact the California school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Many beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance 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 focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to open a barber shop in Northridge CA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach 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 Enough Hands-On Training Provided?  Learning and refining barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Northridge CA barber college furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he receives assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help develop relationships with local businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Northridge CA area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, 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 respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Consult with 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 available to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an alternative before you find out what financial help may be provided in Northridge CA.

How to Train to Be a Barber in Northridge

Choose in the Best Northridge Barber School

Finding and enrolling in the right barber training program is essential to get the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Don't forget to organize all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to filter 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 ready to launch your new career as a professional barber in Northridge California.

Northridge Barbering Colleges | Northridge Schools For Barbering