How to Choose the Right Barbering Course Near Levittown Pennsylvania
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Levittown PA, the task starts to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the program you select not only furnishes the proper instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be rather confused 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 type of school. We'll discuss a little bit more regarding that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Levittown residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when assessing possible barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the best choice. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about 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.
Questions to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Levittown PA home, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely be your primary 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 even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have compiled some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber college you select 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 meet 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 Levittown PA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Levittown PA 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 recommend others that you had not thought of. And last, check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you enroll in a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your dream is to open a barber shop in Levittown PA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included 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 volunteers. If a Levittown PA barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So look for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he receives support in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with area employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Levittown PA area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and identify 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 accessible to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an option before you find out what financial aid may be offered in Levittown PA.
How to Choose a Barber School in Levittown
Enroll in the Right Levittown Barber School
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is important to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to compile all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to narrow down 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 prepared to begin your career as a professional barber in Levittown Pennsylvania.