Barbering Colleges
How to Choose the Best One Near Somerville Massachusetts

Now that you have made the decision to become a barber, you must enroll in the right barber school near Somerville MA to receive your training. It's important that the school you select not only furnishes the appropriate education for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. You may be a little puzzled when beginning your search for barbering programs as to the difference between beauty and cosmetology schools, since both offer barber training. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more concerning that in the following segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your home. Tuition will additionally be an important consideration when reviewing potential barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the ideal choice. Accreditation and reputation, as examples are among the other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are offered.

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Barbering is a Specialty of Cosmetology

Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be almost anything that improves the look of a person's skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a barber, almost all states mandate that you go through some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Somerville MA barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, once they have acquired experience and a clientele, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing clients either in their own residences or will go to the client's house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many professional names and are employed 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 working barbers have to 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. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Questions to Ask Barber Schools

Following is a series of questions that you should research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Somerville MA home, together with the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want 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 initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber training program you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can 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 several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Somerville MA employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Somerville MA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, 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, consult the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective 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 aspiration is to open a barber shop in Somerville MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Practicing and mastering barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Somerville MA barber college furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So search for other schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she receives assistance in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with local businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Somerville MA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an alternative until you find out what financial aid may be available in Somerville MA.

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Choose the Best Somerville Barber College

Picking and enrolling in the right barber training program is essential to get the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the information you receive 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 college and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional barber in Somerville Massachusetts.

 

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