How to Select the Right Barber Academy Near Cliffside Park New Jersey

Now that you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Cliffside Park NJ, the task begins to find and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the program you choose not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be a little bit puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We'll talk a bit more concerning that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Cliffside Park home. Tuition will also be an important factor when reviewing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not automatically the ideal choice. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are considering 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 Choose Barbering?

Barbering is an art form, according to many, so it’s no surprise that individuals interested in becoming a barber must become authorities before they can command a barber’s chair. And one of the best and most effective ways to do so is through a comprehensive educational program. Since the early 1880s, barbering has been a tradition among men. Visiting the barber shop was often a weekly occasion, where a shave and a cut, and a little socialization among friends, were as popular as a trip to the local saloon. The barber experience still lives on, and many say it is even making a comeback as men realize the value of a great cut and a close shave. Today’s barbers must be able to deliver the highest quality services to their clients, services that cannot be found at a local mall hair salon or a unisex discount salon. Therefore, a solid education, complete with plenty of hands-on training, is a must. It is also a must for licensure, a requirement in every state. Although some states do recognize an apprenticeship as a route to licensure, all states recognize an accredited program.

Questions to Ask Barber Colleges

Following is a list of questions that you should investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Cliffside Park NJ home, together with the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber college you enroll in 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 measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Cliffside Park NJ for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Cliffside Park NJ barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, contact the New Jersey school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to open a barber shop in Cliffside Park NJ, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided?  Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Cliffside Park NJ barber school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So look for other schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he receives support in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with area businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Cliffside Park NJ area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Talk to 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 meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you find out what financial aid may be offered in Cliffside Park NJ.

How to Become a Barber in Cliffside Park

Enroll in the Right Cliffside Park Barber College

Choosing and enrolling in the right barber training program is important to obtain the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Don't forget 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 compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, 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 choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to start your new career as a professional barber in Cliffside Park New Jersey.

Cliffside Park Barber Colleges | Cliffside Park How To Become A Barber