Barbering Training Courses
How to Find the Best One Near Lowell Massachusetts
Now that you have decided to become a barber, you must enroll in the best barber college near Lowell MA to get your training. Because barbers are required to be licensed in all 50 states, the college you select should prep you to pass the licensing test and provide the proper training for your specialty. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be rather unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both offer barbering programs. Because the names are in effect interchangeable and relate to the same type of school, there is no need to be. In the next segment that will be discussed in a bit more detail. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your home. Tuition will also be an important aspect when evaluating possible barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the right choice. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are available.
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Barbering and Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human anatomy look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but really a cosmetic can be almost anything that improves the look of a person's skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a barber, most states mandate that you take some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Lowell MA barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, after they have acquired experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own residences or will go to the client's residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many titles and work in a wide range of specializations including:
• Hairstylists
• Beauticians
• Barbers
• Manicurists
• Nail Technicians
• Makeup Artists
• Hair Coloring Specialists
• Estheticians
• Electrolysis Technicians
As previously stated, in all states working barbers must be licensed. In a few states there is an exception for cosmetologists in general. Only those conducting more skilled services, such as barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
What to Ask Barber Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Lowell MA residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber college you select 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 guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Lowell MA employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Lowell MA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might 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 full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 aspiration is to start a barber shop in Lowell MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Lowell MA barber college offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So try to find alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that she or he gets aid in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with local businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Lowell MA area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and learn 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 offered to students as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an option before you find out what financial assistance may be offered in Lowell MA.
Learn More on How to Become a Barber in Lowell
Enroll in the Right Lowell Barber School
Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber school is important to get the necessary training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Don't forget to collect all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional barber in Lowell Massachusetts.