How to Pick the Best Barber Training Program Near Boston Massachusetts
Once you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Boston MA, the process begins to locate and enroll in the best school. It's essential that the program you pick not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be somewhat unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll speak a little bit more about that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Boston residence. Tuition will additionally be an important consideration when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the ideal choice. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine 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 barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Choose Barbering?
Barbering is an art form, according to many, so it’s no surprise that individuals interested in becoming a barber must become authorities before they can command a barber’s chair. And one of the best and most effective ways to do so is through a comprehensive educational program. Since the early 1880s, barbering has been a tradition among men. Visiting the barber shop was often a weekly occasion, where a shave and a cut, and a little socialization among friends, were as popular as a trip to the local saloon. The barber experience still lives on, and many say it is even making a comeback as men realize the value of a great cut and a close shave. Today’s barbers must be able to deliver the highest quality services to their clients, services that cannot be found at a local mall hair salon or a unisex discount salon. Therefore, a solid education, complete with plenty of hands-on training, is a must. It is also a must for licensure, a requirement in every state. Although some states do recognize an apprenticeship as a route to licensure, all states recognize an accredited program.
What to Ask Barbering Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you should look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Boston MA home, together with the price of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have put together several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber college you select 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 meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Boston MA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Boston MA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And last, check with the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select 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 start a barber shop in Boston MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Boston MA barber school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative 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 school, it's important that she or he receives support in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with local employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Boston 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 wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an option until you determine what financial help may be provided in Boston MA.
How to Become a Barber in Boston
Choose in the Right Boston Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is imperative to get the proper training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Don't forget to collect all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to launch your new career as a professional barber in Boston Massachusetts.