How to Select the Best Barber Academy Near West Des Moines Iowa

Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near West Des Moines IA, the task starts to locate and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the school you pick not only furnishes the proper training for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be somewhat puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll talk a bit more regarding that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your West Des Moines residence. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when evaluating prospective barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not always the ideal option. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are thinking about later in 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 series of questions that you should research for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your West Des Moines IA residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber training program you select 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in West Des Moines IA 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 hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Every barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with West Des Moines IA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. Finally, consult the Iowa school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Some beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 vision is to open a barber shop in West Des Moines IA, then you need 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 Plenty of Live Training Provided?  Studying and mastering barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a West Des Moines IA barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So search for other schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that he or she gets aid in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with local employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which West Des Moines IA area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an alternative before you learn what financial help may be offered in West Des Moines IA.

How to Train to Be a Barber in West Des Moines

Choose in the Right West Des Moines Barber School

Locating and enrolling in the right barber school is essential to get the necessary training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional barber in West Des Moines Iowa.

West Des Moines Barber Training | West Des Moines Barbering Schools