Barbering Courses
How to Choose the Right One Near Billerica Massachusetts

Now that you have made the decision to become a barber, you must enroll in the right barber college near Billerica MA to get your training. It's essential that the school you choose not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. You might be a little puzzled when beginning your search for barbering classes as to the difference between beauty and cosmetology schools, since both offer barber training. Because the names are in effect interchangeable and pertain to the same type of school, you shouldn’t be. We'll discuss a little bit more concerning that in the following section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your residence. Tuition will also be an important aspect when assessing potential barber schools. However, a school is not always the best choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Reputation and accreditation, as examples are among the other qualifications that you need to look into when weighing your school options. 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 discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are available.

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Barbering is a Specialty of Cosmetology

Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more beautiful with the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be anything that improves the appearance of a person's skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a barber, most states require that you take some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Billerica MA barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, once they have acquired experience and a client base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing customers either in their own residences or will travel to the client's home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many names and are employed in a wide variety of specializations including:

• Hairstylists
• Beauticians
• Barbers
• Manicurists
• Nail Technicians
• Makeup Artists
• Hair Coloring Specialists
• Estheticians
• Electrolysis Technicians

As earlier mentioned, in all states working barbers must be licensed. In a few states there is an exception for cosmetologists in general. Only those performing more skilled services, for example 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.

What to Ask Barbering Schools

Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Billerica MA residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish 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 additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have collected some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically 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 concluding benefit, many Billerica MA businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great 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 employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Billerica MA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. Finally, check with the Massachusetts school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you decide on a school that focuses on 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 Billerica MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided?  Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Billerica MA barber college offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So try to find other schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that she or he gets aid in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with local businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Billerica MA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and learn 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 offered to students too. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an option until you learn what financial aid may be provided in Billerica MA.

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Enroll in the Best Billerica Barber College

Locating and enrolling in the right barber training program is imperative to obtain the proper training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are ready to begin your career as a professional barber in Billerica Massachusetts.

 

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