Barbering Colleges
How to Find the Best One Near Andover Massachusetts
Since you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Andover MA, the task starts to locate and choose the best one. Since barbers are licensed in all states, the college you select should prep you to pass the licensing exam as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. When you begin your initial search, you might be somewhat confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both offer barbering programs. Since the names are for all practical purposes interchangeable and pertain to the same type of school, there is no need to be. In the next section that will be covered in a little more detail. You will want to find a campus that is within reasonable commuting distance of your residence unless you plan to relocate for training. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when assessing prospective barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not always the best choice. Accreditation and reputation, as examples are among the other qualifications that you need to evaluate when weighing your school options. We will examine what questions you should ask about 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 types of programs are offered.
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Barbering is a Specialty of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more attractive through the use 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 basically a cosmetic can be almost anything that improves the look of a person's skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a barber, the majority of states mandate that you go through some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Andover MA barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, after they have acquired experience and a clientele, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own residences or will go to the client's house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many professional names and work in a wide variety of specialties including:
• Hairstylists
• Beauticians
• Barbers
• Manicurists
• Nail Technicians
• Makeup Artists
• Hair Coloring Specialists
• Estheticians
• Electrolysis Technicians
As earlier mentioned, in all states practicing barbers have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption for cosmetologists in general. Only those conducting 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 series of questions that you should look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Andover MA residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following 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 college you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available 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 Andover MA businesses 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? Each barber college 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 endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Andover MA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with the Massachusetts school licensing authority to see 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, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you enroll in a school that focuses on 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 respected for that program. If your aspiration is to open a barber shop in Andover MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Andover MA barber college provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he receives help in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with local businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Andover MA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive 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. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might 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 fulfills each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an alternative before you determine what financial help may be available in Andover MA.
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Enroll in the Best Andover Barber School
Finding and enrolling in the right barber training program is essential to get the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Don't forget to consolidate all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this article, 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 examination, you will be confident that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional barber in Andover Massachusetts.