How to Select the Right Barber School Near Bartlesville Oklahoma

Now that you have decided to attend a barber school near Bartlesville OK, the task starts to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the school you select not only furnishes the proper training for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be rather confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll speak a bit more about that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Bartlesville residence. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not always the ideal choice. There are a number of other factors 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 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.

What to Ask Barber Colleges

Following is a list of questions that you should research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Bartlesville OK home, together with the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber training program you choose 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 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 obtainable in Bartlesville OK for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. 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, showing that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Bartlesville OK barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. Finally, consult the Oklahoma 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 Focus?  Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you decide on a school that specializes in 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 aspiration is to open a barber shop in Bartlesville OK, 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 deliver the training you require.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided?  Studying and refining barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Bartlesville OK barber school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that he or she 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 area businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Bartlesville OK area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an alternative until you learn what financial aid may be available in Bartlesville OK.

How to Choose a Barber College in Bartlesville

Enroll in the Right Bartlesville Barber College

Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is important to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident 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 contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you pick are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional barber in Bartlesville Oklahoma.

Bartlesville Barbering Schools | Bartlesville Barber Academy