How to Find the Best Barbering School Near Arlington Massachusetts

Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Arlington MA, the task begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It's important that the school you choose not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you may be somewhat puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll talk a bit more concerning that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Arlington home. Tuition will also be an important factor when evaluating prospective barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not always the right choice. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.

Why Become a Barber?

Hairstyles are increasingly being considered by people to be a projection of their personalities.  As a result, barbers are still very much in demand. However, most people are looking for trained professionals and will not just drop in on any local barber shop displaying a red, white and blue pole. Training to become a barber is a career move that offers many benefits for those that are both artistic and sociable.  The artistic side is indulged by creating a plethora of different and sometimes challenging hairstyles. The social aspect obviously comes into play by keeping the customer engaged while creating your masterpiece. In fact, some barbers are so proud of their artistic accomplishments that they will take photos of their finished hairstyles and post them on their websites as a portfolio to attract new clients.  And barbering lends itself to a more intimate form of customer service by providing time with the client while cutting his (or her) hair.  This time spent together can lead to the development of a rapport or even a new friendship. As a result, many customers come back not only because they are pleased with the service, but also to enjoy the social amenities that their neighborhood barbershop can offer.

Questions to Ask Barber Colleges

Following is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Arlington MA residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like 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 should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber training program you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified 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 quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Arlington MA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Every barber college 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 businesses 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 together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Arlington MA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to open a barber shop in Arlington MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided?  Practicing and refining barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Arlington MA barber school provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that furnish this kind 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 landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with area employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Arlington MA area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask 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 Offered?  Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you find out what financial aid may be available in Arlington MA.

How to Train to Be a Barber in Arlington

Enroll in the Best Arlington Barber College

Picking and enrolling in the right barber training program is essential to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, 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 right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to begin your career as a professional barber in Arlington Massachusetts.

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