How to Enroll In the Right Barber College Near Temple Texas
Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Temple TX, the process begins to search for and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the school you select not only furnishes the proper instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be somewhat confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll discuss a bit more concerning that in the upcoming section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Temple residence. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when assessing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the best choice. There are various other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are thinking about later in 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.
Questions to Ask Barber Training Programs
Following is a list of questions that you should look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Temple TX residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have put together some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber training program you select 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 assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Temple TX for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several 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 favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Temple TX barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, check with the Texas school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing 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 choose a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal 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 desire is to launch a barber shop in Temple TX, then you want 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 provide the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Temple TX barber college offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. So search for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he gets aid in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with area employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Temple TX area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an alternative until you determine what financial help may be offered in Temple TX.
How to Choose a Barber College in Temple
Enroll in the Right Temple Barber College
Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber college is important to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions presented 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 prepared to start your career as a professional barber in Temple Texas.