Barbering Colleges
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Bedford Massachusetts

Now that you have decided to become a barber, you must find the right barber college near Bedford MA to get your training. Since barbers are licensed in all states, the college you choose should prepare you to pass the licensing exam as well as provide the necessary training for your specialty. You might be somewhat confused when starting your search for barbering programs as to the difference between cosmetology and beauty schools, since both provide barber training. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. You will want to find a school that is within reasonable driving distance of your residence unless you are willing to relocate for training. An additional consideration when examining prospective barbering schools is the price of tuition. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest in cost it's not always the best choice. Accreditation and reputation, for example are two of the other qualifications that you should look into when comparing schools. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about barbering as a career.

It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Barbering Career Below

Why Choose Barbering?

Hairstyles are increasingly being considered by people to be a projection of their personalities.  As a result, barbers are still very much in demand. However, most people are looking for trained professionals and will not just drop in on any Bedford MA barber shop displaying a red, white and blue pole. Training to become a barber is a career move that offers many benefits for those that are both artistic and sociable.  The artistic side is indulged by creating a plethora of different and sometimes challenging hairstyles. The social aspect obviously comes into play by keeping the customer engaged while creating your masterpiece. In fact, some barbers are so proud of their artistic accomplishments that they will take photos of their finished hairstyles and post them on their websites as a portfolio to attract new clients.  And barbering lends itself to a more intimate form of customer service by providing time with the client while cutting his (or her) hair.  This time spent together can lead to the development of a rapport or even a new friendship. As a result, many customers come back not only because they are pleased with the service, but also to enjoy the social amenities that their neighborhood barbershop can offer.

Questions to Ask Barber Colleges

Below is a series of questions that you will want to research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Bedford MA home, together with the expense 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 reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber school you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Bedford MA employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Bedford MA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. Finally, consult 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 Focus?  Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your intention 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 Bedford 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 deliver the training you need.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided?  Practicing and perfecting barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Bedford MA barber college offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that he or she gets support in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with area employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Bedford MA area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn 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 available to students as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an option before you learn what financial help may be available in Bedford MA.

Learn More on Becoming a Barber in Bedford

Enroll in the Best Bedford Barber College

Picking and enrolling in the right barber college is essential to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that base, 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 choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional barber in Bedford Massachusetts.

 

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