Barbering Colleges
How to Pick the Best One Near Lowell Massachusetts
Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Lowell MA, the task begins to locate and choose the best one. Since barbers are licensed in all states, the school you select should prep you to pass the licensing test as well as provide the necessary training for your specialty. 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 kind of school. In the next segment that will be discussed in a little more detail. You will need to find a school that is within reasonable driving distance of your home unless you are willing to relocate for training. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when assessing potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the right option. Accreditation and reputation, for example are among the other qualifications that you need to evaluate when weighing your school options. We will go over what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are available.
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Barbering is a Specialty of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human body look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be anything that enhances the appearance of a person's skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a barber, the majority of 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 Lowell MA barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, once they have gained experience and a client base, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client's residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have 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 previously mentioned, in every state practicing barbers must be licensed. In some states there is an exemption for cosmetologists in general. Only those conducting more skilled services, such as barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
Questions to Ask Barbering Schools
Below is a series of questions that you should look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Lowell MA residence, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have collected 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 college you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Lowell MA businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Lowell MA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, 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 last, consult the Massachusetts school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to launch a barber shop in Lowell 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 weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Lowell MA barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So look for alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he receives aid in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with local employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Lowell MA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an option before you find out what financial help may be available in Lowell MA.
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Enroll in the Right Lowell Barber School
Locating and enrolling in the right barber school is essential to get the proper training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Don't forget to organize all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your career as a professional barber in Lowell Massachusetts.