Barbering Schools
How to Pick the Best One Near Cambridge Massachusetts

Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Cambridge MA, the task begins to search for and choose the ideal one. Because barbers are required to be licensed in all 50 states, the college you select should prep you to pass the licensing test as well as provide the necessary training for your specialty. You may be a little puzzled when beginning your search for barbering programs as to the difference between cosmetology and beauty schools, which both offer barber training. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We'll discuss a bit more concerning that in the upcoming section. You will need to find a school that is within reasonable driving distance of your residence unless you plan to relocate for training. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when assessing potential barber schools. However, a school is not always the best option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are offered.

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Barbering and 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 regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be anything that enhances the look of a person's skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a barber, the majority of states require that you take some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Cambridge MA barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, after they have gained experience and a client base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients either in their own residences or will go to the client's residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many titles and are employed in a wide variety of specialties including:

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

As formerly stated, in every state working barbers have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption 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, which include shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

What to Ask Barber Schools

Following is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Cambridge MA residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first 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 choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber college you enroll in 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 measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Cambridge MA employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Cambridge MA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. Finally, check with the Massachusetts school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Many beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you enroll in a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to open a barber shop in Cambridge MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided?  Learning and refining barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Cambridge MA barber school provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for other schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  When a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she gets support in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help develop relationships with area employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Cambridge MA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have extensive 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. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an alternative before you learn what financial aid may be available in Cambridge MA.

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Choose the Right Cambridge Barber College

Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber school is essential to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to organize 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 contrast schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that base, 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 ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional barber in Cambridge Massachusetts.

 

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