Barbering Classes
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Pittsfield Massachusetts

Once you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Pittsfield MA, the task starts to search for and choose the ideal one. It's important that the program you select not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you may be rather unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We'll discuss a little bit more concerning that in the following segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your home. Tuition will likewise be a critical factor when assessing potential barber schools. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Accreditation and reputation, for example are among the other qualifications that you should evaluate when weighing your school options. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are offered.

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Barbering is Part of Cosmetology

Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human anatomy look more attractive with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances the appearance of a person's skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a barber, almost all states mandate that you go through some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Pittsfield MA barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, after they have gotten experience and a client base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client's home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many professional names 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 already mentioned, in all states working barbers must be licensed. In some 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 become licensed in those states.

Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges

Below is a list 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 relative to your Pittsfield MA home, together with the expense of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber training program you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Pittsfield MA employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Pittsfield MA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not considered. Finally, contact the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 desire is to start a barber shop in Pittsfield MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.

Is Plenty of Live Training Provided?  Studying and refining barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Pittsfield MA barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  When a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he receives assistance in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid develop relationships with area businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Pittsfield MA area shops and businesses 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?  Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may 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 satisfies each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an alternative until you determine what financial aid may be available in Pittsfield MA.

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Enroll in the Right Pittsfield Barber College

Finding and enrolling in the right barber college is essential to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to consolidate all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional barber in Pittsfield Massachusetts.

 

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