How to Enroll In a Cosmetology School near Alston Georgia
Now that you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Alston GA, the task begins to search for and enroll in the best school. It’s essential that the program you choose not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be a little bit confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a bit more concerning that in the next segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Alston home. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when reviewing possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not always the best option. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are available.
Definition of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human anatomy 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 term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states require that you go through some kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Alston GA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a clientele, open their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing customers either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many professional names 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 earlier stated, in most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Degrees
There are primarily two pathways available to get cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs typically call for 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. Shorter programs are offered if you prefer to focus on just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Alston GA 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 program you opt for, it’s essential to make sure that it’s approved by the Georgia Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you decide on in the following section.
Online Beauty Classes
Online cosmetology programs are accommodating for Alston GA students who are employed full time and have family commitments that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based beauty school programs available that can be accessed through a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are frequently fast paced since many programs are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a substantial amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not spending many hours away from your home or travelling to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s important that the school you pick can provide internship training in nearby 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 acquire the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.
What to Ask Cosmetology Trade Schools
Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any cosmetologist training program you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Alston GA residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue 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 school. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make certain that the cosmetology college you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, 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 may also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in 30412 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Alston GA employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each cosmetologist institute that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good 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, showing that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Alston GA salon owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And finally, check with the Georgia 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? Some 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, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you pick a school that focuses on 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 vision is to start a hair salon in Alston GA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore search for other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s imperative that she or he gets aid in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with Alston GA businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which salons and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you learn what financial help may be available.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Alston GA?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Alston GA area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Alston, Georgia
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 159 people, 63 households, and 44 families residing in the town. The population density was 55.5 people per square mile (21.5/km²). There were 72 housing units at an average density of 25.2 per square mile (9.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 86.79% White and 13.21% African American.
There were 63 households out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.7% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.6% were non-families. 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the town, the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.9 males.
Find the Right Cosmetology Vocational School near Alston GA
Locating and enrolling in the ideal cosmetology program is essential to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to organize all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the academy and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are ready to begin your career as a professional cosmetologist in Alston GA.
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