Barbering Schools
How to Choose the Best One Near Stoneham Massachusetts

Once you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Stoneham MA, the task starts to find and choose the right one. It's important that the program you choose not only furnishes the necessary instruction for the specialty you have decided on, 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, which both provide barber training. Since the names are in effect interchangeable and pertain to the same type of school, you shouldn’t be. In the following section that will be discussed in a bit more detail. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your home. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when assessing possible barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not always the ideal choice. Reputation and accreditation, as examples are among the other qualifications that you should look into when comparing schools. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are available.

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Barbering is a Specialty of Cosmetology

Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human anatomy look more beautiful with the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be 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 type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Stoneham MA barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, once they have acquired experience and a client base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing customers either in their own residences or will go to the client's house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles and work in a wide range of specialties including:

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

As previously stated, in every state working barbers must be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption for cosmetologists in general. Only those performing 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 Barbering Colleges

Following is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Stoneham MA residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have put together several of those supplemental 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 agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Stoneham MA employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Stoneham MA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And finally, contact the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your vision is to open a barber shop in Stoneham MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Stoneham MA barber school provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that he or she receives help in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with area employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Stoneham MA area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn 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 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 alternative before you determine what financial aid may be provided in Stoneham MA.

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Choose the Best Stoneham Barber College

Selecting and enrolling in the right barber training program is important to get the proper training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, 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 selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional barber in Stoneham Massachusetts.

 

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