How to Enroll In the Best Barbering Academy Near Martinsburg West Virginia
Once you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Martinsburg WV, the process starts to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's important that the program you choose not only furnishes the necessary instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be a little bit unclear about the contrast 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 refer to the same type of school. We'll speak a little bit more regarding that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Martinsburg home. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when assessing prospective barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not always the ideal option. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about later within 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 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 Barber Schools
Below is a series of questions that you need to look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Martinsburg WV home, together with the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue 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 preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College 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 certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Martinsburg WV for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. 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 regarded. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Martinsburg WV barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And last, contact the West Virginia school licensing authority to find out 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 comprehensive 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 often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you decide on a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 Martinsburg WV, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Martinsburg WV barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he gets assistance in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with local employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Martinsburg WV area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and identify 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 offered to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an option until you determine what financial help may be available in Martinsburg WV.
How to Choose a Barber School in Martinsburg
Choose in the Right Martinsburg Barber School
Finding and enrolling in the right barber college is imperative to receive the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied 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 test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional barber in Martinsburg West Virginia.