How to Select the Right Barber Academy Near Clifton New Jersey
Now that you have decided to attend a barber school near Clifton NJ, the process begins to find and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the school you pick not only furnishes the necessary instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be rather confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a little bit more about that in the following section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Clifton residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when assessing prospective barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not automatically the right option. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a 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.
What to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a series of questions that you will want to research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Clifton NJ residence, together with the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber training program you enroll in 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Clifton NJ for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably 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 outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Clifton NJ barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, check with the New Jersey school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you decide on a school that specializes in 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 well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to open a barber shop in Clifton NJ, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Clifton NJ barber school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that she or he gets aid in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with local businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Clifton NJ area shops and organizations 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 respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an option before you learn what financial aid may be offered in Clifton NJ.
How to Choose a Barber College in Clifton
Enroll in the Best Clifton Barber College
Picking and enrolling in the right barber training program is imperative to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are ready to start your new career as a professional barber in Clifton New Jersey.