Barbering Schools
How to Find the Right One Near Franklin Massachusetts
Since you have decided to attend a barber school near Franklin MA, the process begins to locate and select the right one. It's imperative that the program you select not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be rather confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both offer barbering programs. Since the names are in effect interchangeable and pertain to the same kind of school, you shouldn’t be. We'll discuss a bit more regarding that in the next segment. You will need to find a campus that is within reasonable driving distance of your residence unless you are willing to relocate for training. An additional consideration when evaluating prospective barbering schools is the cost of tuition. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest in cost it's not necessarily the right option. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are available.
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Barbering and Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human anatomy look more beautiful through the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances the look of a person's skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a barber, most states mandate that you take some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Franklin 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 start seeing clients either in their own residences or will travel to the client's home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles and work in a wide range of specialties including:
• Hairstylists
• Beauticians
• Barbers
• Manicurists
• Nail Technicians
• Makeup Artists
• Hair Coloring Specialists
• Estheticians
• Electrolysis Technicians
As earlier mentioned, 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 instance barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
Questions to Ask Barbering Schools
Following is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Franklin MA home, as well as the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly 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 should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber school you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior 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 requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Franklin MA businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Franklin MA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And last, contact the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often 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 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 desire is to start a barber shop in Franklin MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Franklin MA barber school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore search for other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that she or he gets support in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with area businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Franklin MA area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected 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 considering have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an option until you learn what financial aid may be offered in Franklin MA.
Learn More on Becoming a Barber in Franklin
Choose the Best Franklin Barber School
Locating and enrolling in the right barber training program is imperative to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A good 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 begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this article, 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 prepared to launch your career as a professional barber in Franklin Massachusetts.