How to Choose the Right Barber College Near State College Pennsylvania

Now that you have decided to attend a barber school near State College PA, the process begins to search for and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the program you pick not only furnishes the proper instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be somewhat unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We'll speak a little bit more concerning that in the following segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your State College residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical factor when assessing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not always the ideal choice. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are considering 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?

Barbershops have always been a place for men to get their hair cut, socialize, and gab about everything from sports to stock tips. Although today some women visit barbershops and some men visit stylists and salons, the barbershop and its iconic red, white, and blue striped pole is still a cornerstone of male culture. If you’ve got an eye for style, a creative flair, and an appreciation for America’s unique barbershop culture, a career as a barber could be your calling. As a barber, you’ll cut, style, shape, and treat men’s hair, and sometimes women’s and children’s hair, too. You’ll give shaves and trim facial hair and sometimes perform neck and scalp massages. Like all specialists in the field of cosmetology, you’ll make a ritual out of maintaining your tools, station, and clients to the highest standards of hygiene and sanitization.

Questions to Ask Barbering Training Programs

Following is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your State College PA residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Following 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 essential to make sure that the barber college you select 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 comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in State College PA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with State College PA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to propose others that you had not considered. Finally, contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention 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 launch a barber shop in State College PA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Learning and refining barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out 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 State College PA barber school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore look for other schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he receives aid in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help develop relationships with local employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which State College PA area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you learn what financial aid may be available in State College PA.

How to Train in Barbering in State College

Choose in the Best State College Barber College

Picking and enrolling in the right barber college is imperative to receive the proper training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to consolidate all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this article, 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 examination, you will be confident that you are ready to start your career as a professional barber in State College Pennsylvania.

State College Barbering Training | State College College Of Barbering