Barbering Colleges
How to Pick the Right One Near Falmouth Massachusetts

Now that you have made the decision to become a barber, you must find the best barber college near Falmouth MA to get your training. It's essential that the school you choose not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. You may be a little confused when beginning your search for barbering programs as to the difference between beauty and cosmetology schools, which both provide barber training. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a little bit more concerning that in the following section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your home. Another consideration when examining prospective barbering schools is the price of tuition. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest in cost it's not always the best option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are offered.

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Barbering is a Specialty of Cosmetology

Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances the look of a person's skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a barber, most states require that you take some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Falmouth MA barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, once they have acquired experience and a client base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing customers either in their own residences or will travel to the client's house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many names and work in a wide variety of specialties including:

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

As previously stated, in all states working barbers must be licensed. In a few 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 employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

What to Ask Barbering Schools

Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Falmouth MA home, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber college you enroll in 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 can also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Falmouth MA businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying 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 Falmouth MA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with 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 Focus?  A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to start a barber shop in Falmouth MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on people. 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 enable students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Falmouth MA barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So 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 crucial that he or she receives aid in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with area businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Falmouth MA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and find out 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 accessible to students too. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an option before you determine what financial assistance may be provided in Falmouth MA.

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Enroll in the Right Falmouth Barber College

Picking and enrolling in the right barber college is essential to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Don't forget to organize all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are ready to start your new career as a professional barber in Falmouth Massachusetts.

 

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