Barbering Training Courses
How to Pick the Right One Near Somerville Massachusetts

Now that you have made the decision to begin your career in barbering, you must find the right barber college near Somerville MA to receive your training. It's imperative that the program you choose not only provides the appropriate education for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. You may be a little confused when beginning your search for barbering classes as to the difference between cosmetology and beauty schools, since both offer barber training. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll discuss a bit more about that in the next section. You will need to find a campus that is within reasonable commuting distance of your home unless you are willing to relocate for training. An additional qualification when examining prospective barber schools is the cost of tuition. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the right option. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are offered.

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Barbering and Cosmetology

Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful through the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances the look of a person's skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a barber, almost all states require that you undergo some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Somerville MA barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, after they have gotten experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client's house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many names and work in a wide variety 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 certain states there is an exception for cosmetologists in general. Only those conducting more skilled services, for example barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Questions to Ask Barber Schools

Below is a list of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Somerville MA home, as well as the price 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 reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber school you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Somerville 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 an Excellent Reputation?  Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Somerville MA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And last, contact the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your intention 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 launch a barber shop in Somerville MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided?  Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Somerville MA barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she gets assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with local employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Somerville MA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected 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 considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn 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 accessible to students too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an alternative until you determine what financial help may be offered in Somerville MA.

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Choose the Best Somerville Barber College

Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is imperative to obtain the proper training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you choose 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 proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional barber in Somerville Massachusetts.

 

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