How to Enroll In the Right Barber Academy Near Decatur Indiana
Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Decatur IN, the task starts to search for and enroll in the best school. It's important that the program you choose not only provides the appropriate education for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may 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 basically interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a little bit more about that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Decatur residence. Tuition will additionally be an important aspect when assessing prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the ideal choice. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding 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 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 Colleges
Following is a list of questions that you need to research for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Decatur IN residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish 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 additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber school you select 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Decatur IN for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. 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, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Decatur IN barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. Finally, contact the Indiana school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your goal 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 desire is to start a barber shop in Decatur IN, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Decatur IN barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. So search for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that he or she gets aid in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with area employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Decatur IN area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might 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 meets each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you learn what financial aid may be offered in Decatur IN.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Decatur
Enroll in the Right Decatur Barber College
Locating and enrolling in the right barber college is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your new career as a professional barber in Decatur Indiana.