How to Find the Best Barber College Near Saint Joseph Missouri

Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Saint Joseph MO, the task begins to find and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the program you select not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be rather unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We'll talk a bit more regarding that in the next section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Saint Joseph home. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when reviewing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the right option. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example 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 talk a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.

Why Choose Barbering?

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 Colleges

Below is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Saint Joseph MO residence, together with the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably 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 college. Following we have compiled several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber training program you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with 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 Saint Joseph MO for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Saint Joseph MO barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And last, contact the Missouri school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal 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 Saint Joseph MO, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Learning and mastering barbering techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Saint Joseph MO barber school provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So search for other schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that she or he gets assistance in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with local businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Saint Joseph MO area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may 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 meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an option until you determine what financial aid may be provided in Saint Joseph MO.

How to Train in Barbering in Saint Joseph

Choose in the Best Saint Joseph Barber School

Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber school is important to get the necessary training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to organize all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your career as a professional barber in Saint Joseph Missouri.

Saint Joseph Barbering Colleges | Saint Joseph Schools For Barbering