How to Pick the Right Barbering College Near Takoma Park Maryland

Since you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Takoma Park MD, the task starts to find and enroll in the best school. It's important that the program you choose not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be a little bit confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We'll speak a bit more regarding that in the following segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Takoma Park home. Tuition will also be a critical factor when evaluating possible barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not always the right choice. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.

Why Choose Barbering?

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.

Questions to Ask Barber Training Programs

Following is a list of questions that you need to look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Takoma Park MD home, as well as the expense 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 options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber training program you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Takoma Park MD for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many employers will not employ 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 school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Takoma Park MD barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. Finally, consult 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?  A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you enroll in a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a barber shop in Takoma Park MD, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Studying and refining barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Takoma Park MD barber school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. So look for alternate schools that offer 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 gets assistance in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with area businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Takoma Park MD area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and learn 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 as well. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an option until you find out what financial help may be available in Takoma Park MD.

How to Train in Barbering in Takoma Park

Enroll in the Right Takoma Park Barber College

Picking and enrolling in the right barber training program is essential to receive the proper training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to compile all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional barber in Takoma Park Maryland.

Takoma Park Barbering Training | Takoma Park College Of Barbering