Barbering Schools
How to Find the Best One Near North Reading Massachusetts

Now that you have made the decision to become a barber, you must find the right barber college near North Reading MA to receive your training. Since barbers are licensed in all states, the college you select should prepare you to pass the licensing exam and provide the proper training for your specialty. You may be a little confused when starting your search for barbering classes as to the difference between cosmetology and beauty schools, which both provide barber training. Since the names are for all practical purposes interchangeable and relate to the same kind of school, you shouldn’t be. We'll talk a little bit more regarding that in the upcoming section. You will want to find a school that is within reasonable commuting distance of your home unless you can relocate for training. An additional qualification when examining prospective barber schools is the price of tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are various other considerations 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 looking at later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are available.

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Barbering is a Specialty of Cosmetology

Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful through the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances the look of a person's skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a barber, most states require that you undergo some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only North Reading MA barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, once they have gained experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client's residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles and work in a wide variety of specialties including:

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

As earlier stated, in every state practicing 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 employed in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

What to Ask Barber Schools

Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your North Reading MA residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to 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 selection.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber training program you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically 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 final benefit, numerous North Reading MA businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with North Reading MA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And last, check with the Massachusetts school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances 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, 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 essential that you decide on a school that specializes in 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 dream is to launch a barber shop in North Reading MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided?  Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a North Reading MA barber college offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So look for alternate schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he receives assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with area businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which North Reading MA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of 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 expense, do not discard it as an alternative before you determine what financial aid may be available in North Reading MA.

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Choose the Right North Reading Barber College

Finding and enrolling in the right barber training program is essential to obtain the proper training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Don't forget to collect all of the responses 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 procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional barber in North Reading Massachusetts.

 

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