Barbering Training
How to Select the Right One Near Russellville Arkansas

Now that you have made the decision to become a barber, you must enroll in the right barber college near Russellville AR to get your training. It's essential that the school you select not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be somewhat unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both offer barbering programs. Because the names are in effect interchangeable and pertain to the same kind of school, you shouldn’t be. We'll talk a bit more about that in the following segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your residence. Another consideration when evaluating prospective barber schools is the price of tuition. However, a school is not always the right option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Reputation and accreditation, as examples are among the other qualifications that you need to look into when comparing schools. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are available.

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Barbering is Part of Cosmetology

Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be anything that improves the appearance of a person's skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a barber, almost all states require that you go through some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Russellville AR barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, after they have acquired experience and a client base, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients either in their own residences or will go to the client's home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many names and work in a wide range of specialties including:

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

As already stated, in every state working barbers have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exception for cosmetologists in general. Only those performing more skilled services, such as barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges

Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Russellville AR home, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish 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 should research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber school you choose 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 measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Russellville AR employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good 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, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Russellville AR barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. Finally, contact the Arkansas school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you select 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 dream is to start a barber shop in Russellville AR, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided?  Studying and mastering barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Russellville AR barber college provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he receives support in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help develop relationships with local businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Russellville AR area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn 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 accessible to students as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an alternative before you find out what financial aid may be offered in Russellville AR.

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Enroll in the Best Russellville Barber School

Finding and enrolling in the right barber school is essential to obtain the proper training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to organize all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, 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 test, you will be confident that you are ready to start your new career as a professional barber in Russellville Arkansas.

 

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