How to Find the Right Barber College Near Fort Washington Maryland

Now that you have decided to attend a barber school near Fort Washington MD, the process begins to find and enroll in the best school. It's essential that the program you choose not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be rather unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a little bit more regarding that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Fort Washington home. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when evaluating prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the ideal choice. There are various other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss 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 Barbering Colleges

Following is a list of questions that you need to look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Fort Washington MD residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly 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 choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber school you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Fort Washington MD for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Fort Washington MD barber shop owners or managers, or someone 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 looked into. Finally, check with the Maryland school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example 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 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 Fort Washington 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 poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided?  Studying and refining barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided 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 Fort Washington MD barber school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So look for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he receives aid in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with local businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Fort Washington MD area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an option until you find out what financial assistance may be available in Fort Washington MD.

How to Choose a Barber School in Fort Washington

Choose in the Best Fort Washington Barber College

Choosing 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 require so as to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional barber in Fort Washington Maryland.

Fort Washington Barbering Colleges | Fort Washington Schools For Barbering