How to Select the Right Barber Academy Near Muskegon Michigan
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Muskegon MI, the process starts to locate and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the school you pick not only furnishes the proper instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be rather puzzled 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 refer to the same type of school. We'll discuss a little bit more about that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Muskegon home. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when reviewing possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not automatically the best choice. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine 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 Barber Colleges
Below is a list of questions that you need to look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Muskegon MI residence, together with the price of tuition, will probably 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 narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber training program you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Muskegon MI for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Muskegon MI barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted 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 see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential 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 aspiration is to start a barber shop in Muskegon MI, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Muskegon MI barber college furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So search for other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she gets help in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with local employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Muskegon MI area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may 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 satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you determine what financial aid may be available in Muskegon MI.
How to Choose a Barber College in Muskegon
Enroll in the Best Muskegon Barber School
Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber school is essential to get the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Don't forget to organize all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional barber in Muskegon Michigan.