How to Pick a Beauty School near Fitzgerald Georgia
Once you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Fitzgerald GA, the task begins to search for and enroll in the best school. It’s imperative that the program you select not only furnishes the necessary instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll speak a bit further regarding that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Fitzgerald home. Tuition will additionally be a critical aspect when evaluating prospective schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not automatically the best choice. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are available.
What is Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human body look more attractive with the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be almost anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you undergo some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Fitzgerald GA 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, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing clients either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many professional names and work in a wide variety of specializations including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As formerly stated, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption. Only those conducting more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Degrees and Certificates
There are essentially two avenues 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 usually require 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 all of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you wish to specialize in just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also probably feature management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Fitzgerald GA business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you choose, it’s essential to make certain that it’s recognized by the Georgia Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only approve schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the next segment.
Online Cosmetologist Programs
Online beauty programs are advantageous for Fitzgerald GA students who are employed full-time and have family responsibilities that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous online beauty school programs available that can be accessed by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty programs are frequently fast paced because many programs are as short as six or eight months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you’re not devoting many hours outside of your home or driving to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s imperative that the program you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to obtain the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
What to Ask Cosmetologist Degree Programs
Following is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any cosmetologist training program you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Fitzgerald GA home, as well as the price of tuition, will probably 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 even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make certain that the cosmetology training program you select 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in 31750 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Fitzgerald GA businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any beauty college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Fitzgerald 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 might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. Finally, contact the Georgia school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your goal is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to launch a hair salon in Fitzgerald GA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach 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 need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a beauty school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So look for alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a beauty program, it’s imperative that she or he gets help in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with Fitzgerald GA businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Many beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Talk to 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 offered to students as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an alternative before you determine what financial help may be offered.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Fitzgerald GA?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Fitzgerald GA area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Fitzgerald, Georgia
The city of Fitzgerald is the county seat of Ben Hill County in the south central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia.[6] As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 9,053.[7] It is the principal city of the Fitzgerald Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Ben Hill and Irwin counties.
Fitzgerald was developed in 1895 by Philander H. Fitzgerald, an Indianapolis newspaper editor. A former drummer boy in the Union Army during the Civil War, he founded it as a community for war veterans – both from the Union and from the Confederacy.[8] The majority of the first citizens (some 2700) were Union veterans.[9] It was incorporated on December 2, 1896.[10] The town is located less than 15 miles (24 km) from the site where Confederate president Jefferson Davis was captured on May 10, 1865.
Fitzgerald was an early planned city. It was laid out as a square, with intersecting streets dividing it into four wards. Each of the wards was divided into four blocks and each block had sixteen squares.[11] The first two streets running North/South on the west side of the city were named after Confederate generals Lee and Johnston, whereas the first two on the east side were named after Union generals Grant and Sherman.[12]
Enroll in the Right Cosmetologist Program near Fitzgerald GA
Locating and enrolling in the right cosmetologist program is essential to get the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Don’t forget to consolidate all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Fitzgerald GA.
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