Barbering Schools
How to Select the Best One Near Cambridge Massachusetts
Now that you have decided to begin your career in barbering, you must enroll in the right barber school near Cambridge MA to get your training. Because barbers are licensed in all 50 states, the school you select should prepare you to pass the licensing exam as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. When you begin your initial search, you may be somewhat unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. You will want to find a campus that is within reasonable commuting distance of your home unless you can relocate for training. Tuition will additionally be an important consideration when assessing possible barber schools. However, a school is not always the best option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. Now we will examine what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are looking at.
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What to Ask Barber Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Cambridge MA home, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely 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 preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure 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 meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Cambridge MA businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may 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 field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. 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, showing that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Cambridge MA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And last, consult the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances 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, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand 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 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 Cambridge MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on volunteers. Ask 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 skills on volunteers. If a Cambridge MA barber school offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he receives aid in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with area businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Cambridge MA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you determine what financial aid may be offered in Cambridge MA.
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Enroll in the Right Cambridge Barber College
Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is imperative to receive the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to compile all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to filter 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 ready to launch your career as a professional barber in Cambridge Massachusetts.