How to Choose the Right Barbering Course Near Santa Cruz California

Once you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Santa Cruz CA, the process starts to find and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the school you pick not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you may be somewhat unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a bit more concerning that in the upcoming segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Santa Cruz residence. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when assessing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the best choice. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are thinking about later within 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 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 Barber Schools

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 Santa Cruz CA residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want 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 need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber training program 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Santa Cruz CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references 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 in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Santa Cruz CA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And last, check with the California school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Many beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you enroll in a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your dream is to open a barber shop in Santa Cruz 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 deliver the training you need.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided?  Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. 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 site that allow students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Santa Cruz CA barber college furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on using 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?  Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she gets aid in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with local employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Santa Cruz 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 regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an option before you determine what financial assistance may be offered in Santa Cruz CA.

How to Choose a Barber College in Santa Cruz

Choose in the Right Santa Cruz Barber School

Choosing and enrolling in the right barber training program is essential to receive the proper training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to organize all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional barber in Santa Cruz California.

Santa Cruz Barbering Colleges | Santa Cruz Schools For Barbering