Barbering Training Courses
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Salem Massachusetts
Now that you have made the decision to become a barber, you must find the best barber college near Salem MA to receive your training. Since barbers are licensed in all states, the college you choose should prepare you to pass the licensing exam and provide the necessary training for your specialty. You might be somewhat confused when starting your search for barbering programs as to the difference between beauty and cosmetology schools, since both offer barber training. Because the names are in effect interchangeable and pertain to the same type 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 campus that is within reasonable driving distance of your residence unless you plan to relocate for training. Tuition will also be an important aspect when assessing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not always the best choice. Accreditation and reputation, for example are among the other qualifications that you should look into when comparing schools. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are offered.
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Barbering and Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more attractive through the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be anything that improves the look of a person's skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a barber, the majority of states require that you undergo some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Salem MA barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, after they have acquired experience and a client base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client's home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many titles and work in a wide variety of specializations including:
• Hairstylists
• Beauticians
• Barbers
• Manicurists
• Nail Technicians
• Makeup Artists
• Hair Coloring Specialists
• Estheticians
• Electrolysis Technicians
As earlier stated, in all states practicing barbers have to be licensed. In some states there is an exception for cosmetologists in general. Only those offering more skilled services, for example barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges
Below is a list 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 Salem MA residence, together with the price of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue 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 additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber school you choose 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 meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Salem MA businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. 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, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Salem MA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. Finally, 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 Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you enroll in a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective 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 dream is to start a barber shop in Salem 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 provide the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Salem MA barber school provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he gets aid in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with area businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Salem MA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an option before you determine what financial assistance may be available in Salem MA.
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Enroll in the Right Salem Barber College
Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber college is imperative to receive the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Don't forget to consolidate all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, 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 test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional barber in Salem Massachusetts.