How to Pick the Right Barber School Near Lacey Washington
Once you have decided to attend a barber school near Lacey WA, the process begins to search for and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the school you pick not only provides the appropriate education for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be a little bit 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 relate to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more regarding that in the following segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Lacey residence. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when reviewing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not always the best option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about 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 Choose Barbering?
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 list of questions that you need to look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Lacey WA home, as well as the price of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced 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 collected several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber training program you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Lacey WA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously considering 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. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Lacey WA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And last, check with the Washington 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? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you choose a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your ambition is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to open a barber shop in Lacey WA, 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 deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Lacey WA barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So look for other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that she or he receives help in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid develop relationships with area businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Lacey WA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most barber schools offer 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 find out what student loans or grants you may get approved 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 with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an option until you learn what financial assistance may be provided in Lacey WA.
How to Train in Barbering in Lacey
Enroll in the Best Lacey Barber College
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber college is important to get the appropriate training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional barber in Lacey Washington.