Barbering Colleges
How to Choose the Best One Near Stoneham Massachusetts
Now that you have decided to attend a barber school near Stoneham MA, the process begins to locate and select the right one. Because barbers are licensed in all 50 states, the school you select should prep you to pass the licensing test and provide the proper training for your specialty. You might 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 titles are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. In the following section that will be covered in a bit more detail. You will want to find a school that is within reasonable driving distance of your home unless you plan to relocate for training. Another qualification when examining prospective barbering schools is the cost of tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Accreditation and reputation, as examples are two of the other qualifications that you should evaluate when weighing your school options. We will go over what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs 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 of course it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term 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 take some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Stoneham MA barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, once they have gained experience and a client base, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin 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 previously stated, in every state working barbers must be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption for cosmetologists in general. Only those conducting more skilled services, such as barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.
Questions to Ask Barbering Schools
Following is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Stoneham MA home, together with the price of tuition, will probably 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 narrowed your school options based on those preliminary 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 supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber school you choose 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 assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Stoneham MA businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Stoneham MA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And finally, contact the Massachusetts school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you decide on a school that focuses on 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 respected for that program. If your aspiration is to open a barber shop in Stoneham MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Stoneham MA barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he gets assistance in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with area businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Stoneham MA area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, 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 Aid Available? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you find out what financial assistance may be provided in Stoneham MA.
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Choose the Best Stoneham Barber College
Selecting and enrolling in the right barber school is imperative to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your career as a professional barber in Stoneham Massachusetts.