Barbering Classes
How to Select the Right One Near Weymouth Massachusetts
Now that you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Weymouth MA, the process begins to locate and select the right one. It's important that the program you choose not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. You might be somewhat confused when beginning your search for barbering classes as to the difference between beauty and cosmetology schools, since both provide barber training. Since the names are in effect interchangeable and pertain to the same type of school, you shouldn’t be. We'll talk a bit more regarding that in the upcoming section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your home. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when reviewing potential barber schools. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Reputation and accreditation, as examples are among the other qualifications that you need to evaluate when weighing your school options. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering later in 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 is a Specialty of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more attractive through the application of cosmetics. So of course 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 actually 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, almost all states mandate that you take some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Weymouth MA barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, once they have gained experience and a customer base, open their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing customers either in their own residences or will travel to the client's house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many professional names and are employed 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 some states there is an exception for cosmetologists in general. Only those performing more skilled services, for instance barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.
Questions to Ask Barber Schools
Following is a list of questions that you should research for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Weymouth MA residence, together with the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly 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 school. Following we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber training program you enroll in 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 ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Weymouth MA businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. 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 organizations. If you have any connections with Weymouth MA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. Finally, contact the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular 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 specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to start a barber shop in Weymouth MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Weymouth MA barber college offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that he or she receives support in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with area employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Weymouth 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 regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out 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 available to students as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an option before you determine what financial aid may be available in Weymouth MA.
Learn More on How to Become a Barber in Weymouth
Choose the Right Weymouth Barber College
Selecting and enrolling in the right barber training program is essential to get the proper training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to organize all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your career as a professional barber in Weymouth Massachusetts.