How to Select the Right Barber Training Program Near Crystal Lake Illinois

Since you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Crystal Lake IL, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the program you select not only furnishes the appropriate education for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be rather confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll talk a little bit more concerning that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Crystal Lake home. Tuition will also be an important factor when assessing prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not always the right choice. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review 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 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 list of questions that you should investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Crystal Lake IL residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber training program you choose 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Crystal Lake IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses 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 agencies. If you have any connections with Crystal Lake IL barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And last, check with the Illinois school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly 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 objective 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 Crystal Lake IL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Crystal Lake IL barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for other schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he gets aid in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with local businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Crystal Lake IL area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. 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 accessible to students too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an option until you find out what financial help may be available in Crystal Lake IL.

How to Choose a Barber College in Crystal Lake

Choose in the Right Crystal Lake Barber College

Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber school is important to get the necessary training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to compile 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 contrast schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional barber in Crystal Lake Illinois.

Crystal Lake College Of Barbering | Crystal Lake Courses For Barbering