How to Select the Best Barber School Near Lake Charles Louisiana

Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Lake Charles LA, the process begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the program you select not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be somewhat puzzled about the distinction 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 refer to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more about that in the following section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Lake Charles home. Tuition will additionally be a critical factor when assessing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not always the right option. There are various other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding 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 Barber Training Programs

Below is a list of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Lake Charles LA home, together with the price of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber college you pick 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 ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Lake Charles LA 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 Great Reputation?  Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Lake Charles LA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. Finally, check with the Louisiana school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to launch a barber shop in Lake Charles LA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.

Is Plenty of Live Training Provided?  Practicing and refining barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out 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 developing talents on real people. If a Lake Charles LA barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that he or she gets support in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with area employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Lake Charles LA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and learn 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 also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an option before you learn what financial assistance may be offered in Lake Charles LA.

How to Train to Be a Barber in Lake Charles

Enroll in the Right Lake Charles Barber College

Locating and enrolling in the right barber training program is important to get the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, 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 ideal selection. 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 Lake Charles Louisiana.

Lake Charles Barber Training | Lake Charles Barbering Schools