How to Choose the Right Barbering College Near Clarksville Tennessee

Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Clarksville TN, the process begins to find and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the program you select not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin 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 basically interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a bit more concerning that in the following section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Clarksville home. Tuition will additionally be an important aspect when assessing possible barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the right option. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are looking at later in 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?

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

Below is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Clarksville TN home, together with the price of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to earn 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 additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled some 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 school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Clarksville TN for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements 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 sought after. Check rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Clarksville TN barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And finally, contact the Tennessee school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly 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 sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to start a barber shop in Clarksville TN, 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 poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques requires 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 site that allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Clarksville TN barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that she or he gets help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with area employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Clarksville TN area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn 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 fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an option before you learn what financial assistance may be available in Clarksville TN.

How to Become a Barber in Clarksville

Enroll in the Right Clarksville Barber College

Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is imperative to get the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to collect all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your career as a professional barber in Clarksville Tennessee.

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