How to Enroll In the Right Barbering Training Program Near Englewood Colorado
Since you have decided to attend a barber school near Englewood CO, the process starts to find and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the program you select not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be rather puzzled about the contrast 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 discuss a little bit more regarding that in the following section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Englewood residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when assessing potential barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the best option. There are various other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about 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 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 Barbering Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Englewood CO home, as well as the cost of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber training program you enroll in 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 meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Englewood CO for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. 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, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Englewood CO barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And last, check with the Colorado school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas 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 imperative that you enroll in 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 aspiration is to open a barber shop in Englewood CO, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Englewood CO barber college offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for other 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 imperative that she or he gets support in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with local businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Englewood CO area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an option before you find out what financial aid may be provided in Englewood CO.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Englewood
Choose in the Best Englewood Barber School
Locating and enrolling in the right barber college is important to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Make certain 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 information to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional barber in Englewood Colorado.