How to Select a Cosmetologist College near Ethelsville Alabama
Since you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Ethelsville AL, the task begins to find and enroll in the ideal school. It’s imperative that the school you choose not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you might be a little bit unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll talk a little bit further about that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Ethelsville residence. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when assessing prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not always the ideal choice. There are various other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are available.
Definition of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human anatomy look more attractive through the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that numerous 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 enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you go through some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Ethelsville AL beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many titles 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 already mentioned, in most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In some 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 become licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Degrees
There are essentially two options offered to obtain 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 typically call for 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree usually 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 offered if you wish to concentrate on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also likely feature management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Ethelsville AL business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you opt for, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s certified by the Alabama Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the next segment.
Online Cosmetology Schools
Online cosmetology programs are accommodating for Ethelsville AL students who are employed full time and have family responsibilities that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many web-based beauty school programs available that can be accessed through a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are often fast paced since many programs are as short as six or eight months. This means that a substantial portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are covering the same volume of material, but you are not devoting many hours away from your home or commuting back and forth from classes. However, it’s important that the program you choose can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to acquire the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Cosmetology Schools
Following is a series of questions that you should look into for any cosmetology training program you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Ethelsville AL home, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably 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 consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the cosmetology school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, 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 superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in 35461 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Ethelsville AL businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every beauty college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional 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. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Ethelsville AL salon owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. Finally, contact the Alabama school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your goal is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to start a hair salon in Ethelsville AL, then you need 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 the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty classes you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So look for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s essential that she or he receives help in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with Ethelsville AL employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and businesses they refer students to. Also, 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? Many beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an option before you learn what financial help may be available.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Ethelsville AL?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Ethelsville AL area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Ethelsville, Alabama
Ethelsville is a town in Pickens County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population of the town was 81, unchanged from 2000. The town was named after Ethel Hancock, a one time resident and staple of the community. It was incorporated in 1952.[3]
As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 81 people, 37 households, and 23 families residing in the town. The population density was 143.2 people per square mile (54.9/km2). There were 43 housing units at an average density of 76.0 per square mile (29.1/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 86.42% White and 13.58% Black or African American.
There were 37 households out of which 21.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.9% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.74.
Pick the Right Beauty School near Ethelsville AL
Finding and enrolling in the ideal beauty program is important to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Don’t forget to compile all of the information you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are ready to begin your career as a professional cosmetologist in Ethelsville AL.
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