Barbering Classes
How to Select the Right One Near Springfield Massachusetts

Now that you have made the decision to begin your career in barbering, you must find the right barber college near Springfield MA to receive your training. It's essential that the program you pick not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. You may be somewhat puzzled when beginning your search for barbering classes as to the difference between beauty and cosmetology schools, which both offer barber training. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll speak a little bit more about that in the next segment. You will need to find a campus that is within reasonable driving distance of your home unless you are willing to relocate for training. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when evaluating possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest in cost it's not automatically the right choice. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are available.

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Barbering and Cosmetology

Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more attractive with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic may be anything that enhances the appearance of a person's skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a barber, most states require that you undergo some kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Springfield MA barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, once they have gained experience and a customer base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client's house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many professional 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 previously mentioned, in all states practicing barbers must be licensed. In certain states there is an exception 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, which include shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Questions to Ask Barber Colleges

Below is a list of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Springfield MA home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue 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 initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber school you pick 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 comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for securing 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 concluding benefit, a number of Springfield MA employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Springfield MA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, contact the Massachusetts school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you choose a school that focuses on 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 well regarded for that program. If your dream is to launch a barber shop in Springfield MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct 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?  Learning and refining barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Springfield MA barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for other schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  When a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that she or he receives support in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with local businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Springfield MA area shops and businesses 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?  Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved 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 cost, do not eliminate it as an option until you find out what financial assistance may be available in Springfield MA.

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Choose the Best Springfield Barber School

Selecting and enrolling in the right barber school is imperative to obtain 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. Make certain to organize all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your new career as a professional barber in Springfield Massachusetts.

 

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