Barbering Schools
How to Pick the Best One Near Pine Bluff Arkansas

Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Pine Bluff AR, the process begins to search for and choose the best one. It's essential that the program you choose not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be rather unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both offer barbering programs. Because the names are for all practical purposes interchangeable and relate to the same type of school, there is no need to be. We'll talk a little bit more about that in the next segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your residence. Tuition will also be an important consideration when reviewing potential barber schools. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Reputation and accreditation, for example are among the other qualifications that you need to look into when comparing schools. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of training programs are offered.

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Barbering is Part of Cosmetology

Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful with the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be anything that enhances the appearance of a person's skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a barber, almost all states mandate that you take some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Pine Bluff AR barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, after they have gotten experience and a customer base, open their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients either in their own residences or will travel to the client's residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many names and work in a wide range of specializations including:

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

As already mentioned, in all states practicing barbers must be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption for cosmetologists in general. Only those performing more skilled services, for example barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges

Following is a list of questions that you need to research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Pine Bluff AR home, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Pine Bluff AR employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals 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 profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. 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, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Pine Bluff 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 may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And last, consult the Arkansas school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to open a barber shop in Pine Bluff AR, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided?  Studying and refining barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Check 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 developing talents on volunteers. If a Pine Bluff AR barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So try to find other schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he receives assistance in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with local businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Pine Bluff AR area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, 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 regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an alternative before you find out what financial help may be available in Pine Bluff AR.

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Choose the Best Pine Bluff Barber School

Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber college is important to get the necessary training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to consolidate 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 reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional barber in Pine Bluff Arkansas.

 

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