Barbering Schools
How to Choose the Best One Near Gloucester Massachusetts

Now that you have decided to attend a barber school near Gloucester MA, the process begins to locate and select the right one. It's essential that the school you select not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. You might be somewhat puzzled when starting your search for barbering programs as to the difference between cosmetology and beauty schools, since both provide barber training. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll speak a little bit more about that in the upcoming section. You will need to find a campus that is within reasonable commuting distance of your residence unless you can relocate for training. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when reviewing possible barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the ideal choice. Reputation and accreditation, for example are among the other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning 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 available.

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Barbering is Part of Cosmetology

Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more attractive with the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be anything that improves the look of a person's skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a barber, almost all states require that you take some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Gloucester MA barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, once they have acquired experience and a customer base, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own residences or will travel to the client's residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many names and work in a wide range of specialties including:

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

As already mentioned, in all states practicing barbers have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exception for cosmetologists in general. Only those offering more skilled services, such as barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

What to Ask Barber Schools

Below is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Gloucester MA residence, together with the expense of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like 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 even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have compiled several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber college you select 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Gloucester MA employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Each barber college that you are seriously considering 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 businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Gloucester MA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And finally, check with the Massachusetts school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential 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 desire is to start a barber shop in Gloucester MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.

Is Plenty of Live Training Provided?  Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Gloucester MA barber school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she receives help in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with area employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Gloucester MA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  Many 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. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may get approved 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 satisfies all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an alternative until you determine what financial assistance may be offered in Gloucester MA.

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Choose the Right Gloucester Barber School

Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber college is imperative to get the appropriate training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional barber in Gloucester Massachusetts.

 

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