Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Decatur AR

How to Pick a Cosmetology College near Decatur Arkansas

nail technicians training at Decatur AR beauty schoolSince you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Decatur AR, the task begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It’s imperative that the program you choose not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may be somewhat confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We’ll speak a bit more regarding that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Decatur residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical aspect when evaluating possible schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not automatically the ideal choice. There are many other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning 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.

What is Cosmetology

Decatur AR makeup ar4tist applying makeupCosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic may be almost anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states require that you undergo some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Decatur AR beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a client base, open their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing customers either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s residence, 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 previously stated, in most states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. 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 Certificates and Degrees

Decatur AR hairdresser cutting hairThere are primarily two pathways available to get cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually 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 trained in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you prefer to focus on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also probably feature management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Decatur AR business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you decide on, it’s essential to make sure that it’s certified by the Arkansas Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the upcoming segment.

Online Cosmetologist Courses

student attending cosmetology school online in Decatur AROnline cosmetology programs are advantageous for Decatur AR students who are working full time and have family obligations that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based beauty school programs offered that can be attended via a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are often fast paced given that many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a significant portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you are not spending many hours away from your home or travelling back and forth from classes. However, it’s essential that the training program you pick can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to obtain the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetology Schools

Questions to ask Decatur AR beauty schoolsBelow is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any beauty training program you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Decatur AR residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish 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 even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the cosmetology college 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 comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in 72722 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Decatur AR employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Each cosmetologist school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Decatur AR salon owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And last, check with the Arkansas 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 Focus?  Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your intention is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to start a hair salon in Decatur AR, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided?  Learning and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty academy furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So look for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  Once a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s essential that he or she receives support in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develope relationships with Decatur AR businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  Almost all beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn 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 as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you learn what financial aid may be available.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Decatur AR?

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

Decatur, Arkansas

Decatur is a city, in Benton County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,699 at the 2010 census.[3] It is part of the Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AR-MO Metropolitan Statistical Area. This town is named after Commodore Stephen Decatur, Jr.

Decatur is located in western Benton County at 36°20′15″N 94°27′24″W / 36.33750°N 94.45667°W / 36.33750; -94.45667 (36.337541, -94.456721).[4]Arkansas Highway 59 passes through the city, leading north 6 miles (10 km) to Gravette and 13 miles (21 km) to the Missouri border, and south 13 miles (21 km) to Siloam Springs. Arkansas Highway 102 leads east 16 miles (26 km) to Bentonville and west 10 miles (16 km) to the Oklahoma border.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Decatur has a total area of 4.5 square miles (11.7 km2), of which 4.4 square miles (11.5 km2) is land and 0.039 square miles (0.1 km2), or 1.21%, is water.[3]

Enroll in the Right Beauty Training Program near Decatur AR

Decatur AR barber blow drying client's hairSelecting and enrolling in the right cosmetology college is important to get the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to organize all of the responses you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Decatur AR.

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