How to Select the Best Barbering College Near West Falls Church Virginia

Since you have decided to attend a barber school near West Falls Church VA, the process begins to find and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the program you pick not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start 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 essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more regarding that in the upcoming segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your West Falls Church home. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when assessing prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the best option. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example 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 talk a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.

Why Choose Barbering?

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.

Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges

Below is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your West Falls Church VA home, together with the price of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish 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 should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber school 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 meet their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in West Falls Church VA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous businesses 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 college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with West Falls Church VA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And last, contact the Virginia school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you pick a school that specializes in 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 dream is to launch a barber shop in West Falls Church VA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided?  Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a West Falls Church VA barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she gets help in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help develop relationships with area businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which West Falls Church VA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Consult with 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 too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an alternative before you determine what financial assistance may be provided in West Falls Church VA.

How to Choose a Barber School in West Falls Church

Enroll in the Right West Falls Church Barber College

Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber college is imperative to obtain the proper training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to collect 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 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 foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to begin your career as a professional barber in West Falls Church Virginia.

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