How to Pick the Best Barbering Training Program Near New Albany Indiana
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near New Albany IN, the task begins to search for and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the program you choose not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may 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 refer to the same type of school. We'll discuss a little bit more about that in the upcoming section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your New Albany home. Tuition will also be an important factor when assessing potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not always the right option. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine 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 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 Barbering Colleges
Following is a list of questions that you should look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your New Albany IN home, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like 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 additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you should 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 select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified 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 may also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in New Albany IN for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals 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 profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with New Albany IN barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And finally, contact the Indiana 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 Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective 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 aspiration is to launch a barber shop in New Albany IN, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a New Albany IN barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she gets aid in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with area employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which New Albany IN area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, 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 regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an option before you determine what financial help may be available in New Albany IN.
How to Become a Barber in New Albany
Enroll in the Right New Albany Barber School
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber school is essential to get the proper training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Don't forget to organize all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to begin your new career as a professional barber in New Albany Indiana.