How to Enroll In the Best Barber College Near Secaucus New Jersey
Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Secaucus NJ, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the school you select not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be rather confused about the distinction 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 pertain to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more regarding that in the following segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Secaucus home. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when assessing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not automatically the ideal choice. There are various other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about 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 Schools
Below is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Secaucus NJ home, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School 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 organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Secaucus NJ for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Secaucus NJ barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. Finally, contact the New Jersey school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you enroll in a school that focuses on 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 desire is to start a barber shop in Secaucus NJ, 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 weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting 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. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Secaucus NJ barber college offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he gets aid in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with area businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Secaucus NJ area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 too. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an alternative until you find out what financial help may be available in Secaucus NJ.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Secaucus
Choose in the Best Secaucus Barber College
Selecting and enrolling in the right barber training program is imperative to get the proper training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to organize all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional barber in Secaucus New Jersey.