Barbering Courses
How to Choose the Best One Near New Bedford Massachusetts

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near New Bedford MA, the task begins to locate and select the ideal one. It's essential that the school you choose not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be a little bit confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both offer barbering programs. Since the names are in effect interchangeable and pertain to the same kind of school, you shouldn’t be. In the following section that will be discussed in a bit more detail. You will want to find a campus that is within reasonable commuting distance of your home unless you are willing to relocate for training. An additional consideration when evaluating prospective barbering schools is the cost of tuition. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest in cost it's not automatically the right choice. Reputation and accreditation, as examples are among the other qualifications that you need to evaluate when comparing schools. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types 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 through the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many 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. In order to work as a barber, the majority of 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 gained experience and a client base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing customers either in their own residences or will go to the client's house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles and are employed in a wide range of specializations including:

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

As already stated, in all states practicing barbers have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption for cosmetologists in general. Only those conducting more skilled services, for instance 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.

Questions to Ask Barbering Schools

Following is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your New Bedford MA residence, together with the cost of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably 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 must research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber training program you select 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 guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often 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 New Bedford MA employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with New Bedford MA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. 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 total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you decide on a school that focuses on 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 respected for that program. If your aspiration is to open a barber shop in New Bedford 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 provide the training you need.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Learning and refining barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a New Bedford MA barber school provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for developing your skills. So search for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he gets support in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with area businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which New Bedford MA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and find out 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 accessible to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you determine what financial help may be available in New Bedford MA.

Learn More on Becoming a Barber in New Bedford

Choose the Right New Bedford Barber School

Locating and enrolling in the right barber training program is important to obtain the proper training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to collect 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 compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your new career as a professional barber in New Bedford Massachusetts.

 

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