How to Find the Right Cosmetology College near Canaan Connecticut
Now that you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Canaan CT, the process starts to find and enroll in the ideal school. It’s essential that the program you pick not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you may be rather puzzled 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 kind of school. We’ll talk a little bit further regarding that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Canaan residence. Tuition will also be an important factor when reviewing potential schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not necessarily the ideal choice. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are offered.
Definition of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word 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 require that you take some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Canaan CT beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a customer base, open 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 go by many titles and work in a wide range of specialties including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As formerly mentioned, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those conducting more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Certificates and Degrees
There are basically two avenues offered to obtain cosmetology training and a credential after 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 commonly takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you prefer to specialize in just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also likely feature management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Canaan CT business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you choose, it’s essential to make sure that it’s approved by the Connecticut Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only approve schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the upcoming segment.
Online Cosmetologist Training
Online cosmetology classes are advantageous for Canaan CT students who are employed full-time and have family obligations that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of online beauty school programs available that can be attended by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are frequently fast paced due to the fact that many courses are as short as six or eight months. This means that a substantial amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same amount of material, but you are not spending numerous hours outside of your home or commuting to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s essential that the school you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to obtain the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is available in your area.
What to Ask Cosmetology Degree Programs
Below is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any cosmetologist training program you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Canaan CT home, together with the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have put together several of those additional questions that you should 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 certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in 06018 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Canaan CT employers 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? Each cosmetologist school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Canaan CT salon owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And finally, contact the Connecticut school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a school that focuses on 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 open a hair salon in Canaan CT, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct 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 require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty program provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore search for other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a beauty program, it’s imperative that he or she gets aid in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develope relationships with Canaan CT businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which salons and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Most cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out 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 offered to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you learn what financial assistance may be available.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Canaan CT?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Canaan CT area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
New Canaan, Connecticut
New Canaan (/ˈkeɪnən/) is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, 12 miles (19 km) northeast of Greenwich, 36 miles (58 km) west of New Haven and 48 miles (77 kilometers) northeast of New York City. The population was 19,738 according to the 2010 census.[1] In 2008 New Canaan had the highest median family income in the country.[2]
Considered part of Connecticut's Gold Coast, New Canaan is known for its public school system,[3] its wide range of architecture from the Harvard Five modern homes to historic New England colonials and farmhouses, as well as a signature town center with premiere shopping, classic boutiques, and an elaborate display of lights for the Holidays. Residents carol on Church Hill every Christmas Eve, a town tradition since 1916.[4]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 22.5 square miles (58 km2), of which 22.1 square miles (57 km2) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km2), or 1.56%, is water. New Canaan is the only municipality on the Connecticut Panhandle that does not border the coast. Such proximity to New York City proved worthy of its own connection to the New Haven Railroad, being the only town to do so. New Canaan station and Talmadge Hill station are both on the New Canaan Branch of the New Haven Line, and transfer is possible in Stamford south to Manhattan. Many New Canaan residents commute to New York regularly, with travel time to Grand Central Terminal approximately 70 minutes. New Canaan is also heavily served by the historic Merritt Parkway, as the third municipality when driving through Connecticut from New York City.
Choose the Right Beauty College near Canaan CT
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal cosmetologist school is essential to receive the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Be 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 get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are ready to start your career as a professional cosmetologist in Canaan CT.
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