How to Select the Best Barbering Classes Near Santa Rosa California

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Santa Rosa CA, the process starts to find and enroll in the ideal school. It's important that the program you select not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might 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 basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll speak a bit more about that in the following section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Santa Rosa home. Tuition will also be an important consideration when reviewing potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not automatically the right choice. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding 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 Training Programs

Below is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Santa Rosa CA residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber college you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified 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 assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Santa Rosa CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Santa Rosa CA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the California school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Some 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 expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective 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 vision is to open a barber shop in Santa Rosa CA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided?  Practicing and refining barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Santa Rosa CA barber school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that she or he gets support in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with area businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Santa Rosa CA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask 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 Offered?  The majority of barber schools offer 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 find out 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 offered to students too. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an option until you find out what financial assistance may be provided in Santa Rosa CA.

How to Choose a Barber School in Santa Rosa

Enroll in the Right Santa Rosa Barber School

Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is imperative to obtain the proper training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to compile all of the responses 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 start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional barber in Santa Rosa California.

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