Barbering Schools
How to Pick the Right One Near Medford Massachusetts
Now that you have decided to begin your career in barbering, you must find the best barber school near Medford MA to receive your training. Because barbers are required to be licensed in all states, the school you choose should prep you to pass the licensing exam as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. When you begin your initial search, you may be rather confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. In the next section that will be discussed in a bit more detail. You will need to find a school that is within reasonable driving distance of your home unless you plan to relocate for training. An additional consideration when evaluating prospective barber schools is the price of tuition. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest in cost it's not always the best option. There are many other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are available.
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Barbering is Part of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human anatomy look more beautiful through the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be almost anything that improves the appearance of a person's skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a barber, most states mandate that you undergo some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Medford MA barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, once they have gained experience and a clientele, open their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client's house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many professional names 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 formerly stated, in all states working barbers have to 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. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.
What to Ask Barbering Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Medford MA home, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn 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 even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber school you select 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 assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Medford MA employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those 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 a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Medford MA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. Finally, contact 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 expansive 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 often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose a school that focuses on 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 well regarded for that program. If your vision is to start a barber shop in Medford MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Medford MA barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. So search for other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he gets help in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with local businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Medford MA area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out 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 Offered? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you find out what financial aid may be provided in Medford MA.
Get More Info on Training to Become a Barber in Medford
Enroll in the Best Medford Barber College
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is important to get the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Make certain 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 information to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your new career as a professional barber in Medford Massachusetts.