Barbering Classes
How to Select the Right One Near Lawrence Massachusetts

Once you have decided to attend a barber school near Lawrence MA, the process begins to locate and choose the right one. Because barbers are licensed in all 50 states, the college you choose should prepare you to pass the licensing exam as well as provide the necessary training for your specialty. When you start your initial search, you may be a little bit 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, there is no need to be. We'll talk a bit more about that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your home. Another consideration when examining possible barbering schools is the cost of tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Reputation and accreditation, for example are among the other qualifications that you need to evaluate when comparing schools. 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 training programs are available.

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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 through the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances the appearance of a person's skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a barber, almost all states mandate that you go through some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Lawrence MA barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, once they have gotten experience and a clientele, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client's house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles and are employed in a wide variety of specializations 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 exemption for cosmetologists in general. Only those conducting more skilled services, for instance barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

What to Ask Barbering Colleges

Below is a list of questions that you should research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Lawrence MA residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish 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 must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber training program you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Lawrence MA businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Lawrence MA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And finally, contact the Massachusetts school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential 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 Lawrence MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided?  Studying and mastering 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 campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Lawrence MA barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So look for other schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that he or she gets support in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help develop relationships with area employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Lawrence MA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm 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. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with 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 available to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an option until you determine what financial assistance may be offered in Lawrence MA.

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Choose the Best Lawrence Barber College

Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber college is imperative to receive the necessary training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive 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 employ that data to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional barber in Lawrence Massachusetts.

 

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