How to Pick the Right Barbering College Near San Rafael California

Now that you have decided to attend a barber school near San Rafael CA, the process begins to find and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the school you select not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be somewhat unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll speak a little bit more regarding that in the following segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your San Rafael home. Tuition will additionally be a critical factor when evaluating potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the right choice. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are considering 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 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.

What to Ask Barber Schools

Following is a series of questions that you should research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your San Rafael CA home, as well as the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber college you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged 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 quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in San Rafael 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, numerous employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references 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. Check rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with San Rafael CA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, contact the California school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas 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 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 well regarded for that program. If your vision is to open a barber shop in San Rafael CA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided?  Studying and refining barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a San Rafael CA barber college provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that he or she gets support in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with area businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which San Rafael CA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, 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 regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an option before you learn what financial assistance may be provided in San Rafael CA.

How to Choose a Barber College in San Rafael

Choose in the Right San Rafael Barber College

Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber college is important to get the necessary training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to collect all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your career as a professional barber in San Rafael California.

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