How to Select the Best Barbering School Near Hannibal Missouri

Since you have decided to attend a barber school near Hannibal MO, the process begins to locate and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the program you pick not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be somewhat puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll speak a bit more concerning 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 Hannibal home. Tuition will also be an important aspect when assessing possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not always the best choice. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning 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 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.

Questions to Ask Barber Schools

Following is a series of questions that you should look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Hannibal MO home, together with the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber school 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Hannibal MO for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Any 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 referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Hannibal MO barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. Finally, consult the Missouri school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total 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, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to launch a barber shop in Hannibal MO, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Learning and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Hannibal MO barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for other schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that she or he receives support in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with area businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Hannibal MO area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  Many barber schools provide 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 find out what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an option until you determine what financial help may be provided in Hannibal MO.

How to Become a Barber in Hannibal

Enroll in the Right Hannibal Barber School

Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber college is important to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to organize 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 sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, 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 exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to start your new career as a professional barber in Hannibal Missouri.

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