How to Enroll In the Right Barber College Near Lake Charles Louisiana

Now that you have decided to attend a barber school near Lake Charles LA, the process starts to locate and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the school you choose not only furnishes the appropriate education for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be somewhat unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more concerning that in the upcoming section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Lake Charles residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical factor when reviewing potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the ideal option. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about 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 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.

Questions to Ask Barbering Schools

Below is a series of questions that you will want to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Lake Charles LA residence, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber school you enroll in 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not available 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 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?  Every barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Lake Charles LA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And finally, contact the Louisiana school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive 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 commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your intention is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your desire is to open a barber shop in Lake Charles LA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided?  Practicing and mastering barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Lake Charles LA barber school offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find alternate 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 crucial that she or he gets aid in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with area employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering 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. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering 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 available to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an alternative until you find out what financial aid may be provided in Lake Charles LA.

How to Choose a Barber School in Lake Charles

Choose in the Best Lake Charles Barber College

Choosing and enrolling in the right barber training program is essential to receive the proper training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to organize all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your career as a professional barber in Lake Charles Louisiana.

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