Barbering Schools
How to Find the Best One Near Shrewsbury Massachusetts

Since you have decided to attend a barber school near Shrewsbury MA, the task starts to locate and select the right one. Because barbers are required to be licensed in all 50 states, the college you select should prep you to pass the licensing exam and provide the proper training for your specialty. You may be somewhat puzzled when beginning your search for barbering classes as to the difference between cosmetology and beauty schools, which both offer barber training. Because the names are for all practical purposes interchangeable and pertain to the same kind of school, there is no need to be. We'll speak a little bit more regarding that in the following section. You will need to find a school that is within reasonable driving distance of your residence unless you can relocate for training. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the best choice. Reputation and accreditation, for example are among the other qualifications that you should look into when comparing schools. We will go over what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are available.

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Barbering and Cosmetology

Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more beautiful through the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be almost anything that improves the look of a person's skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a barber, most states require that you take some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Shrewsbury MA barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, once they have gained experience and a client base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients either in their own residences or will travel to the client's home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many professional names and are employed in a wide variety of specializations including:

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

As already mentioned, in every state working barbers have to 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, which include shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

What to Ask Barber Schools

Below is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Shrewsbury MA residence, together with the cost of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to 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 acknowledged local or national agency, 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 may also be important for acquiring 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 Shrewsbury MA businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials 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 demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Shrewsbury 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 may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And finally, 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 Specialty?  Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently 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 sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to start a barber shop in Shrewsbury MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Practicing and refining barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Shrewsbury MA barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So look for alternate schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that she or he gets support in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with area employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Shrewsbury MA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an option until you learn what financial aid may be provided in Shrewsbury MA.

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Choose the Best Shrewsbury Barber College

Finding and enrolling in the right barber college is essential to obtain the proper training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to organize all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to begin your career as a professional barber in Shrewsbury Massachusetts.

 

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