Barbering Courses
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Amherst Massachusetts
Now that you have decided to attend a barber school near Amherst MA, the process starts to search for and choose the best one. Because barbers are required to be licensed in all states, the college you choose should prep you to pass the licensing test and provide the necessary training for your specialty. When you start your initial search, you may be rather puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both offer barbering programs. Since the names are in effect interchangeable and relate to the same kind of school, there is no need to be. In the following segment that will be covered in a bit more detail. You will want to find a campus that is within reasonable commuting distance of your residence unless you can relocate for training. Another qualification when examining prospective barber schools is the cost of tuition. However, a school is not always the right option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding 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 courses 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 through the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic may be almost anything that improves the look of a person's skin, hair or nails. If you want 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 settings include not only Amherst MA barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, once they have gained experience and a client base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client's residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles and are employed in a wide range of specialties including:
• Hairstylists
• Beauticians
• Barbers
• Manicurists
• Nail Technicians
• Makeup Artists
• Hair Coloring Specialists
• Estheticians
• Electrolysis Technicians
As earlier stated, in every state working barbers must be licensed. In some states there is an exemption for cosmetologists in general. Only those performing more skilled services, for instance barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
Questions to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a list of questions that you will want to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Amherst MA home, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber training program 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often 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, a number of Amherst MA employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. 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, showing that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Amherst MA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, 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 considered. Finally, consult the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention 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 vision is to launch a barber shop in Amherst MA, then you need 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 Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Amherst MA barber college offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he receives help in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with area employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Amherst MA area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance 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 identify what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an option until you determine what financial aid may be provided in Amherst MA.
Learn More on Learning to Become a Barber in Amherst
Choose the Best Amherst Barber College
Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is essential to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your new career as a professional barber in Amherst Massachusetts.