How to Pick the Right Barber Academy Near Overland Park Kansas

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Overland Park KS, the task starts to search for and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the program you choose not only furnishes the appropriate education for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be rather unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We'll discuss a bit more concerning that in the following segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Overland Park home. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when evaluating possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not always the best option. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering 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 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

Below is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Overland Park KS residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber training program 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 comply with their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Overland Park KS for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent 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. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Overland Park KS barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, contact the Kansas school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Many beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you pick a school that specializes in 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 vision is to launch a barber shop in Overland Park KS, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided?  Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Overland Park KS barber college furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. So try to find alternate schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that she or he receives support in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develop relationships with area businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Overland Park KS area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an alternative until you determine what financial assistance may be available in Overland Park KS.

How to Become a Barber in Overland Park

Choose in the Right Overland Park Barber School

Selecting and enrolling in the right barber school is imperative to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Make 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 responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your career as a professional barber in Overland Park Kansas.

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