Barbering Training
How to Enroll In the Right One Near North Little Rock Arkansas

Since you have decided to enroll in a barber school near North Little Rock AR, the task starts to search for and select the best one. Since barbers are required to be licensed in all 50 states, the school you choose should prepare you to pass the licensing test as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll talk a little bit more regarding that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your residence. Another consideration when evaluating prospective barber schools is the price of tuition. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not always the best choice. Accreditation and reputation, for example are among the other qualifications that you need to look into when weighing your school options. We will go over what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are offered.

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Barbering is a Specialty of Cosmetology

Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human anatomy look more attractive with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be anything that improves the look of a person's skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a barber, the majority of states require that you go through some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only North Little Rock AR barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, after they have gotten experience and a customer base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client's home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many titles and are employed in a wide variety of specializations including:

• Hairstylists
• Beauticians
• Barbers
• Manicurists
• Nail Technicians
• Makeup Artists
• Hair Coloring Specialists
• Estheticians
• Electrolysis Technicians

As earlier stated, in all states working barbers have to be licensed. In some states there is an exception for cosmetologists in general. Only those conducting more skilled services, for instance barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

What to Ask Barbering Schools

Following is a list of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your North Little Rock AR home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber college you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged 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 ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous North Little Rock AR 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 Great Reputation?  Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with North Little Rock AR barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with the Arkansas school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you pick a school that specializes in 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 dream is to start a barber shop in North Little Rock AR, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Practicing and refining barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a North Little Rock AR barber college offers minimal 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 type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he receives aid in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develop relationships with local employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which North Little Rock AR area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check 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 qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you learn what financial assistance may be offered in North Little Rock AR.

Learn More on Becoming a Barber in North Little Rock

Enroll in the Right North Little Rock Barber School

Picking and enrolling in the right barber training program is important to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Don't forget to organize all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are ready to begin your career as a professional barber in North Little Rock Arkansas.

 

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