How to Select the Right Barbering School Near Plainview New York

Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Plainview NY, the task starts to find and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the school you select not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be rather confused about the difference 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 speak a little bit more about that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Plainview home. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when evaluating potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the best choice. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about 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 Barber Training Programs

Following is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Plainview NY residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly 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 need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified 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 assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Plainview NY for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references 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 as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Plainview NY barber shop owners or managers, or any person 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 considered. And finally, check with the New York school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you enroll in a school that specializes in 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 vision is to open a barber shop in Plainview NY, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided 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 growing skills on real people. If a Plainview NY barber school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So search for other schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  When a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that he or she receives help in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with area employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Plainview NY area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an option until you learn what financial help may be provided in Plainview NY.

How to Choose a Barber College in Plainview

Enroll in the Best Plainview Barber School

Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber college is imperative to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to collect all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. 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 Plainview New York.

Plainview Barber Colleges | Plainview How To Become A Barber