How to Find the Right Barbering Academy Near Ann Arbor Michigan

Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Ann Arbor MI, the process begins to find and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the school you pick not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may 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 titles are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more about that in the following segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Ann Arbor residence. Tuition will also be an important factor when assessing prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the ideal option. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.

Why Become a Barber?

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 series of questions that you should look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Ann Arbor MI home, as well as the expense of tuition, will most likely 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 reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber School 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 acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Ann Arbor MI for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Ann Arbor MI barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, contact the Michigan school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important 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 well regarded for that program. If your desire is to start a barber shop in Ann Arbor MI, 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 need.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Learning and mastering barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Ann Arbor MI barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So try to find other schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he receives assistance in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid develop relationships with local businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Ann Arbor MI area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an alternative until you learn what financial aid may be available in Ann Arbor MI.

How to Choose a Barber School in Ann Arbor

Choose in the Right Ann Arbor Barber College

Selecting and enrolling in the right barber training program is essential to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Don't forget to organize all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your career as a professional barber in Ann Arbor Michigan.

Ann Arbor Barber Colleges | Ann Arbor How To Become A Barber