How to Enroll In the Right Barbering School Near Columbus Ohio

Now that you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Columbus OH, the process begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the school you select not only provides the proper training for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be rather unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a little bit more about that in the upcoming section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Columbus residence. Tuition will additionally be an important aspect when reviewing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the best choice. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over 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 Barbering Colleges

Below is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Columbus OH home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly 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 reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber college you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Columbus OH for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Columbus OH 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 may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. Finally, contact the Ohio school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select 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 open a barber shop in Columbus OH, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided?  Studying and mastering barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Columbus OH barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So try to find other schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he gets help in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with local employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Columbus OH area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an option until you find out what financial help may be offered in Columbus OH.

How to Become a Barber in Columbus

Choose in the Best Columbus Barber College

Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber college is imperative to receive the proper training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Make 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 employ that data to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional barber in Columbus Ohio.

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