How to Select the Right Barbering Academy Near Baltimore Maryland

Now that you have decided to attend a barber school near Baltimore MD, the task begins to find and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the school you choose not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you might be rather puzzled 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 type of school. We'll discuss a little bit more concerning that in the following segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Baltimore residence. Tuition will also be an important factor when assessing possible barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the right option. There are various other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.

Why Become a Barber?

Barbershops have always been a place for men to get their hair cut, socialize, and gab about everything from sports to stock tips. Although today some women visit barbershops and some men visit stylists and salons, the barbershop and its iconic red, white, and blue striped pole is still a cornerstone of male culture. If you’ve got an eye for style, a creative flair, and an appreciation for America’s unique barbershop culture, a career as a barber could be your calling. As a barber, you’ll cut, style, shape, and treat men’s hair, and sometimes women’s and children’s hair, too. You’ll give shaves and trim facial hair and sometimes perform neck and scalp massages. Like all specialists in the field of cosmetology, you’ll make a ritual out of maintaining your tools, station, and clients to the highest standards of hygiene and sanitization.

Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges

Following is a list of questions that you should research for any barber college you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Baltimore MD residence, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber college you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified 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 obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Baltimore MD for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding 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 an Excellent Reputation?  Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Baltimore MD barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the Maryland school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often 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 respected for that program. If your dream is to start a barber shop in Baltimore MD, then you want 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 Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided?  Learning and refining barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Baltimore MD barber college offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he receives assistance in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with local businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Baltimore MD area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out 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 too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you determine what financial help may be offered in Baltimore MD.

How to Become a Barber in Baltimore

Enroll in the Right Baltimore Barber College

Choosing and enrolling in the right barber training program is imperative to get the appropriate training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Don't forget to organize all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to begin your career as a professional barber in Baltimore Maryland.

Baltimore Barber Colleges | Baltimore How To Become A Barber