Barbering Classes
How to Find the Best One Near Hays Kansas
Now that you have decided to begin your career in barbering, you must find the best barber school near Hays KS to receive your training. Since barbers are required to be licensed in all states, the school you choose should prepare you to pass the licensing exam as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. When you start your preliminary search, you might be a little bit unclear about the contrast 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. In the next section that will be discussed in a bit more detail. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your residence. Tuition will also be an important aspect when reviewing possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the right choice. Accreditation and reputation, for example are among the other qualifications that you should evaluate when weighing your school options. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are offered.
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Barbering and Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human anatomy look more attractive through the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be anything that enhances the look of a person's skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a barber, most states mandate that you undergo some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Hays KS barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, once they have gotten experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client's house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many 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 previously stated, in all states working barbers must be licensed. In a few states there is an exception 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, including shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges
Below is a list of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Hays KS home, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber training program you choose 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 measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Hays KS businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Hays KS barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. Finally, consult the Kansas 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? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example 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 ambition is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to launch a barber shop in Hays KS, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Hays KS barber college offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So look for alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that she or he receives support in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with area businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Hays KS area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an option until you find out what financial assistance may be available in Hays KS.
Learn More on Becoming a Barber in Hays
Choose the Best Hays Barber School
Choosing and enrolling in the right barber college is important to get the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your career as a professional barber in Hays Kansas.