How to Choose the Best Barber Academy Near Levittown New York
Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Levittown NY, the task starts to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the school you select not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial 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 pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We'll talk a bit more concerning that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Levittown home. Tuition will also be an important consideration when evaluating potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not always the best option. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example 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 discuss a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Choose Barbering?
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 Barbering Training Programs
Following is a series of questions that you should research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Levittown NY home, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber training program you select 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 ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Levittown NY for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may 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 excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Levittown NY barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, contact the New York 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 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, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you enroll in a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to open a barber shop in Levittown NY, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering skills and techniques requires plenty 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 make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Levittown NY barber college offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that he or she gets assistance in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with local employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Levittown NY area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded 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. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 available to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an alternative before you determine what financial assistance may be offered in Levittown NY.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Levittown
Choose in the Right Levittown Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the right barber school is essential to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to collect 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 contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding 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 proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional barber in Levittown New York.