How to Enroll In the Best Barbering School Near Somerville Massachusetts

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Somerville MA, the task begins to find and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the program you select not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be somewhat puzzled about the difference 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 relate to the same type of school. We'll talk a little bit more regarding that in the following section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Somerville residence. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when reviewing potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the right option. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning 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 can be considered a subspecialty in the larger field of cosmetology. While cosmetologists train to work in hair, nails, skin, makeup, and overall beauty enhancement, barbers focus on cutting hair, almost exclusively men’s hair, and giving shaves and trimming facial hair. They might learn specialized techniques such as coloring and permanent waving like cosmetologists do, but it’s not essential. Barbers and cosmetologists also earn different licenses that specify which services they can legally perform. The first step to becoming a barber is to complete a barbering program. You might choose to enroll in a dedicated barber school or sign up for a barbering program in a cosmetology school that offers barbering as a specialty. Because states have different requirements for training and licensure, it is important to start by checking with your state cosmetology board.

What to Ask Barber Training Programs

Below is a list of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Somerville MA residence, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber school you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, 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 important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Somerville MA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Somerville MA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And finally, contact the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Some beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you pick a school that focuses on 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 vision is to start a barber shop in Somerville MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided?  Learning and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on volunteers. 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 developing skills on volunteers. If a Somerville MA barber college offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he gets assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid develop relationships with local employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Somerville MA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an alternative before you find out what financial aid may be available in Somerville MA.

How to Become a Barber in Somerville

Enroll in the Right Somerville Barber College

Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber school is important to obtain the proper training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are ready to begin your career as a professional barber in Somerville Massachusetts.

Somerville Barbering Training | Somerville College Of Barbering