How to Select the Right Barber School Near Bensalem Pennsylvania
Once you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Bensalem PA, the task starts to find and enroll in the ideal school. It's important that the school you pick not only furnishes the appropriate education for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be somewhat puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We'll speak a bit more regarding that in the following section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Bensalem residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when assessing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not always the ideal option. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are thinking about later within 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 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 Schools
Below is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Bensalem PA home, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber training program you enroll in 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 comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Bensalem PA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria 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 might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber school 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 testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Bensalem PA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, consult the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often 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 objective 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 open a barber shop in Bensalem PA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Bensalem PA barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So search for other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that he or she gets help in landing that initial 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. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Bensalem PA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to 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 expense, do not omit it as an alternative before you determine what financial help may be offered in Bensalem PA.
How to Choose a Barber College in Bensalem
Choose in the Right Bensalem Barber School
Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is essential to get the proper training to become a licensed professional. 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 get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to begin your new career as a professional barber in Bensalem Pennsylvania.