How to Find the Best Barber Training Program Near North Huntingdon Pennsylvania

Since you have decided to enroll in a barber school near North Huntingdon PA, the process starts to find and enroll in the best school. It's important that the school you select not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you might be a little bit 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 refer to the same type of school. We'll discuss a little bit more concerning 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 North Huntingdon residence. Tuition will also be an important factor when reviewing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not automatically the right choice. There are many other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.

Why Become a Barber?

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 Barbering Training Programs

Following is a list of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your North Huntingdon PA home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will probably be your first 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 choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have put together several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber training program you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in North Huntingdon PA 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 might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references 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 along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with North Huntingdon PA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. Finally, consult the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Many beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you decide on a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective 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 aspiration is to open a barber shop in North Huntingdon 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 poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Learning and refining barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided 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 volunteers. If a North Huntingdon PA barber college provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So look for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that he or she receives assistance in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with local businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which North Huntingdon PA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out 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 is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an option until you determine what financial help may be provided in North Huntingdon PA.

How to Choose a Barber School in North Huntingdon

Choose in the Best North Huntingdon Barber School

Choosing and enrolling in the right barber school is essential to obtain the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to organize all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your career as a professional barber in North Huntingdon Pennsylvania.

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