How to Select the Right Barbering School Near Ponca City Oklahoma

Once you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Ponca City OK, the process begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It's important that the school you choose not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We'll talk a little bit more about that in the upcoming segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Ponca City home. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when evaluating 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, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about later within 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, which is as old as America itself, is certainly a career steeped in tradition. Many of today’s barbers use the same equipment or tools, practice the same techniques, and retain the atmosphere of barber shops of long ago. In fact, not much has changed in barbering, as this profession is considered an art form that requires skill, training, a steady hand, and a sharp eye. As a barber, you get to specialize in the cutting, trimming, and styling of hair, mustaches, and beards. Barbers are the specialists in masculine style, providing facial, shaving, and hair-cutting services to men. The barber career choice has also seen a recent resurgence or rise in popularity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of barbers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. If you’re passionate about beginning a career in the barber industry and are ready to blaze a path in this booming industry, then entering this particular field does require you to obtain specialized schooling.

Questions to Ask Barber Colleges

Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Ponca City OK home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber training program you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Ponca City OK for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Ponca 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 suggest others that you had not thought of. Finally, check with the Oklahoma school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you enroll in a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your ambition is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to open a barber shop in Ponca City OK, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided?  Practicing and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Ponca City OK barber college furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  When a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she gets aid in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with local employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Ponca City OK area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, 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 Assistance Offered?  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. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an alternative until you determine what financial aid may be provided in Ponca City OK.

How to Choose a Barber College in Ponca City

Choose in the Right Ponca City Barber School

Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber school is important to get the necessary training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you pick 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 right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your career as a professional barber in Ponca City Oklahoma.

Ponca City Barbering Colleges | Ponca City Schools For Barbering