Barbering Schools
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Arlington Massachusetts
Now that you have decided to begin your career in barbering, you must find the right barber college near Arlington MA to get your training. Since barbers are required to be licensed in all states, the school you choose should prepare you to pass the licensing exam and provide the proper training for your specialty. When you start your initial search, you might be rather confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll speak a bit more regarding that in the upcoming segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your home. Tuition will likewise be a critical consideration when reviewing prospective barber schools. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are various other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are offered.
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Barbering is Part of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more attractive with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be anything that enhances the look of a person's skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a barber, the majority of states require that you take some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Arlington MA barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, once they have gotten experience and a client base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client's house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many 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 formerly mentioned, in all states working barbers must be licensed. In certain states there is an exception for cosmetologists in general. Only those offering more skilled services, for example barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
Questions to Ask Barber Schools
Following is a list of questions that you need to research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Arlington MA residence, 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 options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber school you select 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 comply with their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Arlington MA employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Arlington MA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, contact the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you select 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 dream is to open a barber shop in Arlington MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Arlington MA barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. So search for other schools that furnish this type 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 gets help in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with area businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Arlington MA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected 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 department. Talk to a counselor and find out 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 as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an option before you determine what financial help may be available in Arlington MA.
Find Out More on Becoming a Barber in Arlington
Choose the Right Arlington Barber College
Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber college is imperative to get the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Don't forget to collect all of the information you receive 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 sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided 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 prepared to launch your career as a professional barber in Arlington Massachusetts.