Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Gilbert AZ

How to Select a Cosmetology College near Gilbert Arizona

nail technicians training at Gilbert AZ beauty school Now that you have decided to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Gilbert AZ, the task begins to find and enroll in the right school. It’s imperative that the program you choose not only furnishes the appropriate education for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you may be rather unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a bit more about that in the upcoming section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Gilbert residence. Tuition will additionally be an important aspect when evaluating potential schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not necessarily the ideal choice. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding 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 programs are available.

What is Cosmetology

Gilbert AZ makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more attractive with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be almost anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states require that you go through some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Gilbert AZ beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a client base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles and are employed in a wide variety of specialties including:

Hairdressers
Hairstylists
Beauticians
Barbers
Manicurists
Nail Technicians
Makeup Artists
Hair Coloring Specialists
Estheticians
Electrolysis Technicians

As already mentioned, in the majority of states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Degrees

Gilbert AZ hairdresser cutting hair There are essentially two options available to get cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs normally call for 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate’s degree usually takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you want to specialize in just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also likely incorporate management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Gilbert AZ business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you opt for, it’s essential to make sure that it’s approved by the Arizona Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the upcoming segment.

Online Cosmetology Training

student attending cosmetology school online in Gilbert AZ Online cosmetology classes are convenient for Gilbert AZ students who are working full time and have family commitments that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based beauty school programs available that can be attended through a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty programs are typically fast paced because many programs are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same amount of material, but you’re not spending numerous hours outside of your home or driving back and forth from classes. However, it’s vital that the training program you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors to ensure that you also get the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to gain the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetology Training Programs

Questions to ask Gilbert AZ beauty schools Following is a list of questions that you need to look into for any cosmetology training school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Gilbert AZ home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have compiled several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s necessary to make sure that the cosmetology college you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in 85233 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Gilbert AZ employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every cosmetology college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references 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 regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Gilbert AZ salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, contact the Arizona school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you decide on 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 well regarded for that program. If your desire is to launch a hair salon in Gilbert AZ, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you require.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a beauty school, it’s essential that he or she receives aid in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with Gilbert AZ businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Almost all beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you find out what financial aid may be available.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Gilbert AZ?

If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Gilbert AZ area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.

Gilbert, Arizona

Gilbert is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, located southeast of Phoenix, within the Phoenix metropolitan area. Once known as the "Hay Shipping Capital of the World",[4] Gilbert is currently the most populous incorporated town in the United States. It is the sixth-largest municipality in Arizona, and the fifth-largest in the Metropolitan Phoenix Area.

Gilbert encompasses 76 square miles (197 km2) and has made a rapid transformation from an agriculture-based community to an economically diverse suburban center located in the southeast valley of the Greater Phoenix area. In the last three decades, Gilbert has grown at an extremely high rate, increasing in population from 5,717 in 1980 to 208,453 as of the 2010 census. The town grew at an average annual growth rate of nearly 13% during this 30-year period.

Gilbert owes its beginnings to William "Bobby" Gilbert who provided land to the Arizona Eastern Railway in 1902 to construct a rail line between Phoenix and Florence, Arizona. Ayer's Grocery Store, the first store in Gilbert, opened in 1910 and became the location of the first post office in 1912. The location of the town post office moved several times before settling on the east side of Gilbert Road in downtown, where it still stands today. In 1912, many Mormons who had fled the Mormon colonies in Mexico due to the actions of the forces of Pancho Villa settled in Gilbert. By 1915, they began holding church meetings at the Gilbert Elementary School. In 1918, they were organized into the Gilbert Ward.[5]

Pick the Right Cosmetologist Program near Gilbert AZ

Gilbert AZ barber blow drying client's hair Selecting and enrolling in the right cosmetology program is essential to get the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, 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 examination, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Gilbert AZ.