How to Find the Best Barber Training Program Near Liberal Kansas
Since you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Liberal KS, the process starts to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the school you select not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be somewhat confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll speak a bit more about that in the next segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Liberal residence. Tuition will also be an important aspect when assessing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not always the right choice. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are looking at 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 Choose Barbering?
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 Schools
Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Liberal KS residence, together with the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like 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 even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
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 certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Liberal KS for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber school 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 employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Liberal KS barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the Kansas school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you enroll in 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 respected for that program. If your desire is to open a barber shop in Liberal KS, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Liberal KS barber school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. So try to find alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he gets aid in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help develop relationships with local employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Liberal KS area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out 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 offered to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you find out what financial aid may be available in Liberal KS.
How to Choose a Barber College in Liberal
Enroll in the Best Liberal Barber College
Choosing and enrolling in the right barber college is essential to get the necessary training to become a licensed practitioner. Be 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 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 good start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional barber in Liberal Kansas.