How to Enroll In the Right Barber School Near Cumberland Maryland

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Cumberland MD, the process starts to search for and enroll in the right school. It's important that the school you select not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you may be a little bit confused about the difference 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 refer to the same type of school. We'll speak a bit more about that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Cumberland residence. Tuition will additionally be an important aspect when reviewing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the best option. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are looking at 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 Choose Barbering?

Barbering, which is as old as America itself, is certainly a career steeped in tradition. Many of today’s barbers use the same equipment or tools, practice the same techniques, and retain the atmosphere of barber shops of long ago. In fact, not much has changed in barbering, as this profession is considered an art form that requires skill, training, a steady hand, and a sharp eye. As a barber, you get to specialize in the cutting, trimming, and styling of hair, mustaches, and beards. Barbers are the specialists in masculine style, providing facial, shaving, and hair-cutting services to men. The barber career choice has also seen a recent resurgence or rise in popularity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of barbers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. If you’re passionate about beginning a career in the barber industry and are ready to blaze a path in this booming industry, then entering this particular field does require you to obtain specialized schooling.

What to Ask Barber Training Programs

Below is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Cumberland MD residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber college you pick 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 comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Cumberland MD 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 employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Cumberland MD barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. 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?  Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative 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 aspiration is to start a barber shop in Cumberland MD, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Cumberland MD barber college provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that he or she receives aid in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with local employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Cumberland MD area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an option until you find out what financial help may be provided in Cumberland MD.

How to Train to Be a Barber in Cumberland

Enroll in the Right Cumberland Barber College

Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is important to receive the proper training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to consolidate all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. 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 choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional barber in Cumberland Maryland.

Cumberland Barbering Training | Cumberland College Of Barbering