How to Choose the Right Barbering Course Near Gainesville Georgia

Since you have decided to attend a barber school near Gainesville GA, the task starts to find and enroll in the right school. It's important that the program you choose not only furnishes the appropriate education for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies 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 names are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more about that in the following segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Gainesville residence. Tuition will also be a critical factor when reviewing potential barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the ideal choice. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine 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 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 Colleges

Below is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Gainesville GA home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber training program you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Gainesville GA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Gainesville GA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And finally, contact the Georgia school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your intention 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 dream is to open a barber shop in Gainesville GA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Practicing and refining barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Gainesville GA barber school offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he gets support in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with area employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Gainesville GA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  The majority of barber schools provide 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 learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an option before you determine what financial help may be provided in Gainesville GA.

How to Choose a Barber College in Gainesville

Choose in the Right Gainesville Barber School

Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber school is essential to get the appropriate 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 responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your career as a professional barber in Gainesville Georgia.

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