How to Find the Best Barber Training Near Oklahoma City Oklahoma

Now that you have decided to attend a barber school near Oklahoma City OK, the process begins to find and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the school you pick not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may be somewhat puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll speak a bit more about that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Oklahoma City residence. Tuition will additionally be an important consideration when reviewing possible barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the ideal option. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering 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 Become a Barber?

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 Barber Colleges

Following is a series of questions that you should look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Oklahoma City OK residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish 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 consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Oklahoma City OK for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively 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 an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Oklahoma City OK barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the Oklahoma school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you pick 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 dream is to launch a barber shop in Oklahoma City OK, 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 need.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Oklahoma City OK barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So search for other schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that he or she receives help in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develop relationships with area employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Oklahoma City OK area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn 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 accessible to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an option until you determine what financial aid may be available in Oklahoma City OK.

How to Choose a Barber School in Oklahoma City

Choose in the Best Oklahoma City Barber School

Locating and enrolling in the right barber training program is important to get the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require 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, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start 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 ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional barber in Oklahoma City Oklahoma.

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