How to Choose the Right Barber College Near Mountlake Terrace Washington

Since you have decided to attend a barber school near Mountlake Terrace WA, the process begins to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It's important that the program you choose not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be somewhat puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll speak a bit more regarding that in the upcoming segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Mountlake Terrace residence. Tuition will also be an important aspect when assessing possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not automatically the best option. There are many other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about later within 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 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 series of questions that you should look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Mountlake Terrace WA home, together with the price of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber college you choose 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 ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Mountlake Terrace WA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Mountlake Terrace WA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the Washington school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose 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 well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to open a barber shop in Mountlake Terrace WA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided?  Practicing and refining barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Mountlake Terrace WA barber college offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  When a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he receives assistance in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with area employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Mountlake Terrace WA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you determine what financial help may be available in Mountlake Terrace WA.

How to Choose a Barber School in Mountlake Terrace

Choose in the Right Mountlake Terrace Barber College

Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber school is important to receive the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to 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 employ that information to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional barber in Mountlake Terrace Washington.

Mountlake Terrace Barbering Colleges | Mountlake Terrace Schools For Barbering