Barbering Colleges
How to Choose the Right One Near Cambridge Massachusetts

Since you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Cambridge MA, the process begins to find and choose the ideal one. Since barbers are licensed in all states, the college you select should prepare you to pass the licensing test as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. You might be somewhat confused when beginning your search for barbering classes as to the difference between cosmetology and beauty schools, since both offer barber training. Since the names are in effect interchangeable and pertain to the same kind of school, there is no need to be. We'll discuss a little bit more about that in the next segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your residence. An additional consideration when evaluating possible barber schools is the price of tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Accreditation and reputation, for example are two of 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 thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are offered.

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Barbering is Part of Cosmetology

Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human anatomy look more beautiful with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be almost anything that enhances the appearance of a person's skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a barber, the majority of states mandate that you undergo some kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Cambridge MA barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, once they have gained experience and a customer base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client's residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many names and are employed in a wide range of specializations including:

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

As previously stated, in all states working barbers have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption for cosmetologists in general. Only those performing more skilled services, for example barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Questions to Ask Barber Schools

Below is a list of questions that you should look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Cambridge MA residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will probably be your first 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 choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have compiled some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber school you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Cambridge MA businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively 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 exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Cambridge MA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. 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?  Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 start a barber shop in Cambridge MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Learning and refining barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Cambridge MA barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for other schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that he or she gets support in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with area businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Cambridge MA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask 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 is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you learn what financial aid may be available in Cambridge MA.

Learn More on Training to Become a Barber in Cambridge

Choose the Best Cambridge Barber School

Finding and enrolling in the right barber school is important to get 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. Make sure to consolidate all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once 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.

 

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