Barbering Training Courses
How to Pick the Best One Near Lexington Massachusetts

Now that you have made the decision to begin your career in barbering, you must find the best barber college near Lexington MA to get your training. Because barbers are licensed in all states, the college you choose should prep you to pass the licensing test and provide the necessary training for your specialty. You may be somewhat puzzled when starting your search for barbering classes as to the difference between beauty and cosmetology schools, since both provide barber training. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. In the next segment that will be discussed in a little more detail. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your home. An additional qualification when evaluating prospective barbering schools is the price of tuition. However, a school is not always the right option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Accreditation and reputation, for example are among the other qualifications that you need to look into when comparing schools. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are available.

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Barbering and Cosmetology

Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more beautiful through the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be almost anything that enhances the look of a person's skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a barber, almost all states mandate that you undergo some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Lexington 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 start seeing clients either in their own residences or will travel to the client's house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many titles and work in a wide variety 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 some states there is an exemption for cosmetologists in general. Only those offering more skilled services, for instance barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

What to Ask Barbering Colleges

Below is a series of questions that you should look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Lexington MA home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want 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 need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber training program you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, 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 essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Lexington MA employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Lexington MA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. 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?  Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your dream is to open a barber shop in Lexington 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 require.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Practicing and mastering barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Lexington MA barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that he or she receives aid in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with local employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Lexington MA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, 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 regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn 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 as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an alternative before you learn what financial assistance may be offered in Lexington MA.

Learn More on How to Become a Barber in Lexington

Enroll in the Right Lexington Barber School

Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber school is important to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Don't forget to compile all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, 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 start your career as a professional barber in Lexington Massachusetts.

 

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