How to Find the Right Barbering Course Near South Portland Maine

Now that you have decided to attend a barber school near South Portland ME, the process begins to locate and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the school you pick not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you might be rather unclear about the difference 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 talk a bit more concerning that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your South Portland home. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when evaluating potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not always the ideal choice. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a 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 Schools

Following is a list of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your South Portland ME residence, as well as the price of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber college you choose 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in South Portland ME for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Every barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. 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, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with South Portland ME barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to propose others that you had not considered. Finally, check with the Maine 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 Focus?  Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you decide on 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 well regarded for that program. If your dream is to open a barber shop in South Portland ME, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Practicing and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided 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 talents on real people. If a South Portland ME barber college offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  When a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that he or she receives aid in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with local employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which South Portland ME area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an option until you find out what financial aid may be available in South Portland ME.

How to Train to Be a Barber in South Portland

Choose in the Right South Portland Barber School

Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is important to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional barber in South Portland Maine.

South Portland College Of Barbering | South Portland Courses For Barbering