Barbering Schools
How to Choose the Best One Near Newton Massachusetts

Now that you have decided to begin your career in barbering, you must enroll in the right barber school near Newton MA to get your training. It's important that the program you select not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. You might be a little puzzled when starting your search for barbering classes as to the difference between beauty and cosmetology schools, since both offer barber training. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. In the following segment that will be covered in a little more detail. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your residence. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest in cost it's not automatically the best option. Accreditation and reputation, for example are two of the other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are offered.

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Barbering is a Specialty of Cosmetology

Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human anatomy look more beautiful with the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be anything that improves the appearance of a person's skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a barber, almost all states require that you take some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Newton MA barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, once they have acquired experience and a clientele, open their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client's house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many titles and are employed in a wide range of specialties including:

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

As formerly stated, in all states practicing barbers must be licensed. In some states there is an exception for cosmetologists in general. Only those performing more skilled services, such as barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

What to Ask Barber Schools

Following is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Newton MA home, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected some of those additional 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 training program 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 ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Newton MA employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Newton MA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. Finally, contact the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your intention 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 open a barber shop in Newton MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Practicing and mastering barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. 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 allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Newton MA barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. So look for other schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he gets support in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with area employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Newton MA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

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

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Enroll in the Right Newton Barber College

Selecting and enrolling in the right barber school is imperative to receive the necessary training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to consolidate all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you choose 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 ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your career as a professional barber in Newton Massachusetts.

 

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