Barbering Colleges
How to Pick the Best One Near Stoughton Massachusetts

Since you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Stoughton MA, the process begins to find and select the ideal one. Because barbers are licensed in all states, the college you select should prep you to pass the licensing exam as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. You might be a little confused when starting your search for barbering classes as to the difference between beauty and cosmetology schools, since both provide barber training. Because the names are for all practical purposes interchangeable and relate to the same kind of school, there is no need to be. In the following section that will be discussed in a bit more detail. You will want to find a campus that is within reasonable driving distance of your residence unless you are willing to relocate for training. Tuition will additionally be a critical aspect when reviewing prospective barber schools. 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. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of training programs are offered.

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Barbering is Part of Cosmetology

Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are referred to 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. In order to work as a barber, most states mandate that you go through some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Stoughton MA barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, once they have gained experience and a clientele, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients 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 specializations including:

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

As formerly stated, in all states 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 working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Questions to Ask Barber Schools

Below is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Stoughton MA home, together with the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber school you select 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Stoughton MA employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Stoughton MA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And last, check with the Massachusetts school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you decide on 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 respected for that program. If your aspiration is to open a barber shop in Stoughton MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided?  Studying and mastering barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Stoughton MA barber college offers minimal 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. So search for other schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he receives aid in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help develop relationships with local employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Stoughton MA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an alternative before you determine what financial assistance may be offered in Stoughton MA.

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Enroll in the Right Stoughton Barber School

Selecting and enrolling in the right barber college is important to receive the necessary training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Don't forget to compile all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start 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 exam, you will be confident that you are ready to begin your new career as a professional barber in Stoughton Massachusetts.

 

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