How to Choose the Right Barber School Near Miamisburg Ohio
Now that you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Miamisburg OH, the task starts to locate and enroll in the right school. It's important that the program you select not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be a little bit confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a bit more regarding that in the upcoming section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Miamisburg home. Tuition will likewise be a critical factor when assessing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not always the best choice. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as 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 discuss a little 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.
What to Ask Barbering Schools
Below is a list of questions that you should look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Miamisburg OH home, together with the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have put together several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber school 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Miamisburg OH for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references 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. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Miamisburg OH barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And last, check with the Ohio school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas 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 important that you pick 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 respected for that program. If your aspiration is to open a barber shop in Miamisburg OH, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Miamisburg OH barber college furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. So look for other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that he or she receives help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid develop relationships with local businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Miamisburg OH area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an alternative before you learn what financial help may be available in Miamisburg OH.
How to Choose a Barber College in Miamisburg
Enroll in the Best Miamisburg Barber College
Choosing and enrolling in the right barber school is important to get the appropriate training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, 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 choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional barber in Miamisburg Ohio.