How to Enroll In the Best Barber Course Near Kalamazoo Michigan
Since you have decided to attend a barber school near Kalamazoo MI, the task starts to search for and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the school you choose not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be rather confused about the difference 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 kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more regarding that in the upcoming segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Kalamazoo home. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when evaluating potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the ideal choice. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing 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 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 Become a Barber?
Barbering can be considered a subspecialty in the larger field of cosmetology. While cosmetologists train to work in hair, nails, skin, makeup, and overall beauty enhancement, barbers focus on cutting hair, almost exclusively men’s hair, and giving shaves and trimming facial hair. They might learn specialized techniques such as coloring and permanent waving like cosmetologists do, but it’s not essential. Barbers and cosmetologists also earn different licenses that specify which services they can legally perform. The first step to becoming a barber is to complete a barbering program. You might choose to enroll in a dedicated barber school or sign up for a barbering program in a cosmetology school that offers barbering as a specialty. Because states have different requirements for training and licensure, it is important to start by checking with your state cosmetology board.
Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you will want to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Kalamazoo MI residence, together with the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have collected several of those additional 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 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Kalamazoo MI for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Kalamazoo MI barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And last, contact the Michigan 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 Specialty? Some 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, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you enroll in 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 respected for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a barber shop in Kalamazoo MI, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Kalamazoo MI barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So look for other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he gets support in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with local employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Kalamazoo MI 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 extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out 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 available to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an option before you find out what financial assistance may be provided in Kalamazoo MI.
How to Choose a Barber College in Kalamazoo
Enroll in the Best Kalamazoo Barber College
Selecting and enrolling in the right barber school is essential to get the appropriate training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Don't forget to organize all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, 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 proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional barber in Kalamazoo Michigan.