How to Pick the Best Barber Classes Near Lawrenceville Georgia

Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Lawrenceville GA, the process starts to find and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the school you choose not only provides the proper training for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you might be somewhat confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We'll talk a little bit more concerning that in the next section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Lawrenceville home. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when evaluating possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the ideal option. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.

Why Choose Barbering?

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.

Questions to Ask Barbering Schools

Following is a series of questions that you need to look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Lawrenceville GA residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have put together several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential 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 measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Lawrenceville GA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Lawrenceville GA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And finally, check with the Georgia school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you choose a school that specializes in 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 respected for that program. If your dream is to open a barber shop in Lawrenceville GA, then you need 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 provide the training you need.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided?  Learning and refining barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Lawrenceville GA barber school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So try to find other schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  When a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he receives aid in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid develop relationships with local businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Lawrenceville GA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out 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 available to students as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an alternative before you determine what financial help may be provided in Lawrenceville GA.

How to Become a Barber in Lawrenceville

Enroll in the Best Lawrenceville Barber School

Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is essential to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed technician. 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 information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your new career as a professional barber in Lawrenceville Georgia.

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