Barbering Colleges
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Lawrence Kansas
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Lawrence KS, the process starts to locate and select the best one. Since barbers are licensed in all 50 states, the college you choose should prep you to pass the licensing test as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. You might be a little confused when beginning your search for barbering programs as to the difference between beauty and cosmetology schools, since both offer barber training. Since the names are for all practical purposes interchangeable and pertain to the same type of school, you shouldn’t be. In the next section that will be discussed in a bit more detail. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your home. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when reviewing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest in cost it's not always the right option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review 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 training programs are offered.
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Barbering is a Specialty of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human body look more attractive through the use 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 basically a cosmetic can be almost anything that enhances the look 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 be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Lawrence KS barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, once they have acquired experience and a clientele, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client's house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles and work in a wide range 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 certain states there is an exemption for cosmetologists in general. Only those conducting more skilled services, such as barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
What to Ask Barbering Schools
Following is a series of questions that you need to look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Lawrence KS home, together with the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Lawrence KS businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Lawrence KS barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest 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? Some beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your dream is to start a barber shop in Lawrence KS, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. 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 volunteers. If a Lawrence KS barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. So search for alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he gets aid in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with local businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Lawrence KS area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. 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 accessible to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an option until you learn what financial assistance may be provided in Lawrence KS.
Learn More on Training to Become a Barber in Lawrence
Enroll in the Best Lawrence Barber College
Selecting and enrolling in the right barber college is essential to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your career as a professional barber in Lawrence Kansas.