How to Pick a Beauty School near Hanover Connecticut
Since you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Hanover CT, the process starts to find and enroll in the best school. It’s imperative that the program you choose not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be a little bit confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We’ll speak a bit further concerning that in the following segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Hanover residence. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when reviewing potential schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not always the right option. There are various other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of training programs are offered.
Definition of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human anatomy look more attractive with the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but really a cosmetic can be almost anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you go through some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Hanover CT beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a client base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many names and are employed in a wide range of specialties including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As earlier mentioned, in most states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Degrees and Certificates
There are essentially two pathways offered to receive cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs generally require 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate’s degree ordinarily takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you want to focus on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also probably include management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Hanover CT business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you decide on, it’s essential to make sure that it’s certified by the Connecticut Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the upcoming section.
Online Cosmetologist Schools
Online beauty programs are convenient for Hanover CT students who are working full time and have family commitments that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based beauty school programs offered that can be accessed through a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology programs are frequently fast paced because many courses are as short as six or eight months. This means that a substantial portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you’re not spending numerous hours outside of your home or driving to and from classes. However, it’s vital that the school you select can provide internship training in local salons and parlors in order that you also get the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to obtain the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
What to Ask Beauty Schools
Following is a series of questions that you need to research for any beauty training school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Hanover CT residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have put together some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the cosmetology training program 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 guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in 06350 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 Hanover CT businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each cosmetologist institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Hanover CT salon owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, consult the Connecticut 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 Specialty? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you choose a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your objective is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your desire is to open a hair salon in Hanover CT, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you need.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. So search for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a beauty program, it’s imperative that she or he gets help in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with Hanover CT businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask 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 Offered? The majority of beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and find out 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 accessible to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you learn what financial help may be provided.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Hanover CT?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Hanover CT area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Hanover, Connecticut
Hanover is a small community in Sprague inside New London County, Connecticut. In the 2010 US Census the population was 67, but in 2014 the estimated population was 59.[1] The main road, Hanover Rd., leads south to Route 138 and north to Route 14 in Scotland, while Salt Rock Rd. leads to Route 97. The Little River runs through the eastern part of the area. Hanover Reservoir is the largest body of water in the area.[2] In the center of the village, some notably old houses are located there. Some are on the National Register of Historic Places.[3]
Hanover is the oldest settlement in Sprague. In 1760, more than a century before the town of Sprague was established, the people of Hanover petitioned the General Assembly for permission to establish an ecclesiastical society. In 1761, the establishment was approved. In 1766, Hanover Congregational Church was organized. In 1768, Rev. Andrew Lee was named Pastor. His house still stands on “Lee’s Hill,” on Baltic-Hanover Rd. In 186, the society was incorporated into the town of Lisbon, CT. In 1861, Hanover was made part of the new town of Sprague.
The Little River—originally called the Appaquag by the Mohegans of the area—has powered many mills—grist, saw, silk, wool, paper, rubber—the most prominent of which became the Allen Woolen Company. The mill was powered by water stored in Hanover Reservoir, which also provided household water to the village. The home of one of its early owners, Ethan Allen (named in honor of the Revolutionary War hero), still stands on Main St. in Hanover. Allen was chosen as the First Selectman of Sprague when it was established in 1861. In 1899, Angus Park took over the company, renaming it Airlie Mills. Upon his death in 1929, the company was run by his won, William G. Park and later by, Angus Park, grandson of the elder Angus. The mill burned in 1975 and was not rebuilt.[4] The homes of the elder Angus and William still stand on Main St., just north of Ethan Allen’s residence.
Pick the Right Cosmetology College near Hanover CT
Selecting and enrolling in the right beauty program is important to get the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to organize all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on 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 academy 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 provided in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional cosmetologist in Hanover CT.
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