Barbering Colleges
How to Pick the Right One Near Gloucester Massachusetts

Once you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Gloucester MA, the task begins to find and choose the ideal one. Because barbers are required to be licensed in all states, the college you choose should prep you to pass the licensing test as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. You may be somewhat puzzled when beginning your search for barbering programs as to the difference between beauty and cosmetology schools, which both provide barber training. Because the names are for all practical purposes interchangeable and relate to the same kind of school, you shouldn’t be. We'll speak a little bit more regarding that in the upcoming segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your home. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when assessing prospective barber schools. However, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Reputation and accreditation, as examples are two of the other qualifications that you need to look into when weighing your school options. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of training programs are offered.

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Barbering is Part of Cosmetology

Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human anatomy look more beautiful through the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically 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 be licensed. Once you are 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 gotten experience and a clientele, establish 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 go by many professional 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 already stated, in every state practicing barbers must be licensed. In some states there is an exception for cosmetologists in general. Only those conducting more skilled services, for example barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

What to Ask Barber Colleges

Following is a series of questions that you need to look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Gloucester MA home, as well as the cost of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue 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 take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber training program you pick 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 quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Gloucester MA businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Gloucester MA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the Massachusetts school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Many beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you decide on 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 launch a barber shop in Gloucester MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Practicing and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. Check 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 allow students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Gloucester MA barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So look for other schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that he or she receives aid in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help develop relationships with local employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Gloucester MA area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 accessible to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an option before you learn what financial assistance may be available in Gloucester MA.

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Choose the Best Gloucester Barber School

Locating and enrolling in the right barber school is important to obtain the proper training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Don't forget to consolidate all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address 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 examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your career as a professional barber in Gloucester Massachusetts.

 

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