How to Enroll In the Right Barbering College Near Saint Matthews Kentucky
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Saint Matthews KY, the process begins to find and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the school you pick not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be a little bit confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more regarding that in the upcoming segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Saint Matthews home. Tuition will additionally be a critical aspect when assessing possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not always the best choice. There are various other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at later in 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 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 Training Programs
Following is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Saint Matthews KY home, as well as the price of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue 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 must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have collected several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School 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 certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Saint Matthews KY for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. 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 in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Saint Matthews KY barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And finally, contact the Kentucky school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you decide on a school that focuses on 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 respected for that program. If your vision is to start a barber shop in Saint Matthews KY, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Saint Matthews KY barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. So try to find alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that he or she gets assistance in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with area businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Saint Matthews KY area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher 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 provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may get approved 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 cost, do not drop it as an alternative until you learn what financial assistance may be available in Saint Matthews KY.
How to Choose a Barber School in Saint Matthews
Enroll in the Best Saint Matthews Barber College
Picking and enrolling in the right barber school is important to get the appropriate training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to consolidate all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your career as a professional barber in Saint Matthews Kentucky.
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