How to Select the Best Barber Academy Near Oakdale California
Since you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Oakdale CA, the process starts to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's important that the school you choose not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you may be rather unclear 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 pertain to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more concerning that in the upcoming section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Oakdale residence. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the best choice. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little 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 Barbering Colleges
Following is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Oakdale CA home, together with the price of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like 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 preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration 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 training program you choose 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 ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Oakdale CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Oakdale CA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And finally, check with the California school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you enroll in a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to start a barber shop in Oakdale CA, then you want 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 require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Oakdale CA barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that he or she receives aid in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help develop relationships with area businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Oakdale CA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing 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 available to students as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an option before you find out what financial assistance may be available in Oakdale CA.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Oakdale
Choose in the Right Oakdale Barber School
Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is essential to receive the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once 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 Oakdale California.