How to Choose the Right Barber College Near Mount Lebanon Pennsylvania

Now that you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Mount Lebanon PA, the process begins to search for and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the program you select not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may 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 essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll talk a bit more about that in the next segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Mount Lebanon residence. Tuition will additionally be an important 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 right option. There are various other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's talk 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 Barber Schools

Following is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Mount Lebanon PA home, together with the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want 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 initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber school you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Mount Lebanon PA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Mount Lebanon PA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you decide on a school that focuses on 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 respected for that program. If your dream is to launch a barber shop in Mount Lebanon PA, then you want 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 require.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Mount Lebanon PA barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he gets help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with area employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Mount Lebanon PA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  Many barber schools offer 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 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 also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an alternative until you find out what financial assistance may be available in Mount Lebanon PA.

How to Become a Barber in Mount Lebanon

Choose in the Best Mount Lebanon Barber School

Choosing and enrolling in the right barber school is important to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional barber in Mount Lebanon Pennsylvania.

Mount Lebanon Schools For Barbering | Mount Lebanon Barber Schools