Barbering Training
How to Select the Right One Near New Bedford Massachusetts

Since you have made a decision to attend a barber school near New Bedford MA, the process begins to search for and choose the ideal one. Since barbers are required to be licensed in all 50 states, the school you choose should prep you to pass the licensing test and provide the proper training for your specialty. When you begin your initial search, you might be rather unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both offer barbering programs. Since the names are in effect interchangeable and relate to the same kind of school, there is no need to be. We'll talk a little bit more concerning that in the following section. You will want to find a campus that is within reasonable driving distance of your home unless you can relocate for training. Another consideration when evaluating prospective barbering schools is the cost of tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of training programs are available.

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Barbering is Part of Cosmetology

Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic may be anything that enhances the look of a person's skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a barber, almost all states mandate that you undergo some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only New Bedford MA barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, after they have gotten experience and a customer base, open their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing customers either in their own residences or will go to the client's home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many names and work in a wide variety of specialties including:

• Hairstylists
• Beauticians
• Barbers
• Manicurists
• Nail Technicians
• Makeup Artists
• Hair Coloring Specialists
• Estheticians
• Electrolysis Technicians

As formerly mentioned, in all states working barbers have to be licensed. In a few 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 become licensed in those states.

Questions to Ask Barber Colleges

Below is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your New Bedford MA residence, together with the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like 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 preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber college you pick 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 measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many New Bedford MA employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses 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 in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with New Bedford MA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. Finally, check with the Massachusetts school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention 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 launch a barber shop in New Bedford MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a New Bedford MA barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she gets assistance in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with local businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which New Bedford MA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult 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 available to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an alternative until you learn what financial help may be provided in New Bedford MA.

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Choose the Best New Bedford Barber College

Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber college is essential to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to begin your new career as a professional barber in New Bedford Massachusetts.

 

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