How to Find the Best Barbering Training Program Near Appleton Wisconsin

Now that you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Appleton WI, the task begins to locate and enroll in the best school. It's important that the school you choose not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you may be rather puzzled 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 relate to the same type of school. We'll discuss a little bit more concerning that in the following section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Appleton home. Tuition will likewise be a critical consideration when evaluating potential barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not automatically the best choice. There are many other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little 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.

What to Ask Barber Schools

Following is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Appleton WI 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 probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber College 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 recognized 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 ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Appleton WI for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Appleton WI barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. Finally, consult the Wisconsin school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you enroll in 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 well regarded for that program. If your vision is to launch a barber shop in Appleton WI, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided?  Learning and refining barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Appleton WI barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. Therefore look for other schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that he or she gets assistance in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with local businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Appleton WI area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask 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 Assistance Available?  Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an alternative until you find out what financial aid may be offered in Appleton WI.

How to Train to Be a Barber in Appleton

Choose in the Right Appleton Barber School

Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber college is essential to get the appropriate training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, 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 proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your new career as a professional barber in Appleton Wisconsin.

Appleton Barbering Colleges | Appleton Schools For Barbering