How to Find the Right Barber College Near Aberdeen South Dakota
Since you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Aberdeen SD, the process begins to find and enroll in the ideal school. It's important that the school you select not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you may be rather unclear 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 refer to the same type of school. We'll speak a bit more concerning that in the upcoming segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Aberdeen home. Tuition will additionally be a critical factor when evaluating prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not always the ideal option. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little 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 Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you should research for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Aberdeen SD home, as well as the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber training program you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Aberdeen SD for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Aberdeen SD barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, consult the South Dakota school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 start a barber shop in Aberdeen SD, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Aberdeen SD barber school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he receives help in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with local businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Aberdeen SD area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an alternative until you find out what financial assistance may be offered in Aberdeen SD.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Aberdeen
Choose in the Right Aberdeen Barber School
Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber school is imperative to obtain the proper training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to organize all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your career as a professional barber in Aberdeen South Dakota.