How to Pick the Best Barbering School Near Milford Connecticut
Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Milford CT, the task begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the program you choose not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be somewhat confused 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 type of school. We'll speak a little bit more concerning that in the next segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Milford home. Tuition will also be a critical factor when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not always the ideal option. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at 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 Training Programs
Following is a series of questions that you should research for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Milford CT residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected some of those supplemental 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 college you enroll in 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 guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Milford CT for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Milford CT barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the Connecticut school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often 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 objective 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 launch a barber shop in Milford CT, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On 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 enable students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Milford CT barber school offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that she or he receives aid in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with area businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Milford CT area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an alternative until you determine what financial assistance may be available in Milford CT.
How to Choose a Barber College in Milford
Enroll in the Best Milford Barber College
Finding and enrolling in the right barber college is essential to get the necessary training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to start your new career as a professional barber in Milford Connecticut.