How to Choose the Right Barber Course Near Silver Spring Maryland

Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Silver Spring MD, the task begins to find and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the program you choose not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be somewhat puzzled 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 speak a little bit more regarding that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Silver Spring residence. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when assessing possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the ideal choice. There are various other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are considering 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?

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.

What to Ask Barber Training Programs

Below is a series 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 relative to your Silver Spring MD residence, together with the price of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue 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 need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber college you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Silver Spring MD for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Silver Spring MD barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And finally, contact the Maryland school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Many beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective 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 Silver Spring MD, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Practicing and refining barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Silver Spring MD barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that she or he gets support in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help develop relationships with area employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Silver Spring MD area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Speak 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 offered to students also. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an alternative until you find out what financial help may be offered in Silver Spring MD.

How to Train in Barbering in Silver Spring

Choose in the Right Silver Spring Barber College

Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber college is essential to get the necessary training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to compile all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you pick are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional barber in Silver Spring Maryland.

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