How to Select the Right Barbering Academy Near Columbia South Carolina

Now that you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Columbia SC, the task starts to search for and enroll in the best school. It's essential that the program you select not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be rather puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll talk a bit more concerning that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Columbia home. Tuition will likewise be a critical consideration when evaluating possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the right choice. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering 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 is an art form, according to many, so it’s no surprise that individuals interested in becoming a barber must become authorities before they can command a barber’s chair. And one of the best and most effective ways to do so is through a comprehensive educational program. Since the early 1880s, barbering has been a tradition among men. Visiting the barber shop was often a weekly occasion, where a shave and a cut, and a little socialization among friends, were as popular as a trip to the local saloon. The barber experience still lives on, and many say it is even making a comeback as men realize the value of a great cut and a close shave. Today’s barbers must be able to deliver the highest quality services to their clients, services that cannot be found at a local mall hair salon or a unisex discount salon. Therefore, a solid education, complete with plenty of hands-on training, is a must. It is also a must for licensure, a requirement in every state. Although some states do recognize an apprenticeship as a route to licensure, all states recognize an accredited program.

What to Ask Barber Training Programs

Following is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Columbia SC home, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber training program you choose 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 measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Columbia SC for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Columbia SC barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And finally, check with the South Carolina school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you pick 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 aspiration is to open a barber shop in Columbia SC, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Learning and mastering barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Columbia SC barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he receives assistance in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with local employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Columbia SC area shops and organizations 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 regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an option before you find out what financial help may be provided in Columbia SC.

How to Become a Barber in Columbia

Enroll in the Best Columbia Barber School

Locating and enrolling in the right barber training program is important to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your career as a professional barber in Columbia South Carolina.

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