How to Enroll In the Best Barber Training Near Dunwoody Georgia
Once you have decided to attend a barber school near Dunwoody GA, the task begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the school you select not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be somewhat puzzled 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 relate to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a bit more concerning that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Dunwoody residence. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not automatically the ideal choice. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning 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 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.
What to Ask Barbering Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Dunwoody GA home, as well as the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial 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 initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber school you select 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Dunwoody GA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Dunwoody GA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And finally, contact the Georgia school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you enroll in a school that specializes in 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 desire is to launch a barber shop in Dunwoody GA, 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 Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Dunwoody GA barber school provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. So try to find alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she gets aid in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with local employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Dunwoody GA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check 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 accessible to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you determine what financial help may be available in Dunwoody GA.
How to Become a Barber in Dunwoody
Enroll in the Best Dunwoody Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the right barber training program is imperative to get the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to consolidate 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 good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional barber in Dunwoody Georgia.