How to Pick the Best Barbering School Near Cincinnati Ohio

Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Cincinnati OH, the task starts to search for and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the school you choose not only provides the appropriate education for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be rather unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll speak a bit more about 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 Cincinnati home. Tuition will additionally be a critical aspect when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not always the best option. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are looking at 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 Barbering Training Programs

Following is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Cincinnati OH residence, as well as the price of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have collected some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber training program you pick 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 comply with their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Cincinnati OH for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Cincinnati OH barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. Finally, consult the Ohio school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you decide on a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention 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 vision is to start a barber shop in Cincinnati OH, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Learning and refining barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Cincinnati OH barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. So look for other schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that he or she gets assistance in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with local businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Cincinnati OH area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out 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 offered to students too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an option until you determine what financial help may be available in Cincinnati OH.

How to Train in Barbering in Cincinnati

Enroll in the Best Cincinnati Barber College

Selecting and enrolling in the right barber school is imperative to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the responses 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 sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, 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 proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional barber in Cincinnati Ohio.

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