Barbering Classes
How to Select the Best One Near Jacksonville Florida

Once you have decided to attend a barber school near Jacksonville FL, the task begins to locate and choose the best one. Because barbers are required to be licensed in all 50 states, the school you choose should prep you to pass the licensing test as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. You might be somewhat confused when beginning your search for barbering classes as to the difference between cosmetology and beauty schools, since both provide barber training. Since the names are for all practical purposes interchangeable and relate to the same type of school, you shouldn’t be. We'll speak a little bit more concerning that in the upcoming section. You will want to find a campus that is within reasonable commuting distance of your residence unless you plan to relocate for training. Another consideration when examining prospective barber schools is the cost of tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little 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 beautiful through the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic may be anything that enhances the appearance of a person's skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a barber, almost all states mandate that you go through some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Jacksonville FL barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, after they have acquired experience and a client base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client's residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many professional names 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 mentioned, in every state practicing barbers have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exception for cosmetologists in general. Only those offering more skilled services, such as barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

What to Ask Barbering Colleges

Below is a list of questions that you should research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Jacksonville FL home, together with the expense of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber college you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Jacksonville FL employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Jacksonville FL 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 propose others that you had not thought of. And finally, check with the Florida school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose 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 Jacksonville FL, 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 weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Learning and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Jacksonville FL barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So look for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he receives help in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with local businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Jacksonville FL area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded 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 considering have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an alternative until you find out what financial help may be available in Jacksonville FL.

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Choose the Best Jacksonville Barber College

Finding and enrolling in the right barber school is important to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and answer 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 selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your career as a professional barber in Jacksonville Florida.

 

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