How to Enroll In the Best Barber Course Near Northbrook Illinois

Since you have decided to attend a barber school near Northbrook IL, the task starts to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the program you select not only furnishes the necessary instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be a little bit puzzled about the difference 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 discuss a bit more concerning that in the upcoming segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Northbrook residence. Tuition will additionally be an important aspect when assessing prospective barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not always the best choice. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a 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 Barber Training Programs

Below is a list of questions that you should look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Northbrook IL residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber training program you choose 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Northbrook IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Northbrook IL barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with the Illinois 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?  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, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you pick a school that focuses on 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 desire is to launch a barber shop in Northbrook IL, then you want 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 deliver the training you require.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided?  Learning and refining barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Northbrook IL barber school offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for other schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that she or he receives aid in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with local businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Northbrook IL area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and identify 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 eliminate it as an alternative until you find out what financial aid may be available in Northbrook IL.

How to Choose a Barber School in Northbrook

Choose in the Best Northbrook Barber College

Locating and enrolling in the right barber school is important to receive the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Make certain 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 information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, 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 exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional barber in Northbrook Illinois.

Northbrook Barbering Colleges | Northbrook Schools For Barbering