Barbering Colleges
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Saugus Massachusetts
Since you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Saugus MA, the task begins to search for and select the right one. It's essential that the program you pick not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. You might be a little confused when beginning your search for barbering programs as to the difference between cosmetology and beauty schools, since both offer barber training. Since the names are for all practical purposes interchangeable and relate to the same type of school, you shouldn’t be. In the next segment that will be covered in a little more detail. You will need to find a campus that is within reasonable driving distance of your residence unless you can relocate for training. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when evaluating possible 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, as examples are among the other qualifications that you need to evaluate when comparing schools. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of training programs are available.
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Barbering is Part of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human anatomy look more attractive with the use 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 appearance of a person's skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a barber, most states mandate that you undergo some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Saugus MA barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, once they have acquired experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing customers either in their own residences or will travel to the client's residence, 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 already stated, in every state practicing barbers must be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption for cosmetologists in general. Only those offering more skilled services, such as barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
Questions to Ask Barbering Schools
Below is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Saugus MA residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. 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 important to make sure that the barber college you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Saugus MA employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Saugus MA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And last, check with the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose 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 vision is to start a barber shop in Saugus MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Saugus MA barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore search for other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he gets assistance in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with area employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Saugus MA area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an alternative before you find out what financial aid may be available in Saugus MA.
Learn More on How to Become a Barber in Saugus
Choose the Best Saugus Barber College
Finding and enrolling in the right barber college is imperative to get the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional barber in Saugus Massachusetts.