How to Select a Cosmetologist School near Rockmart Georgia
Since you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Rockmart GA, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It’s essential that the program you select not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you may be somewhat confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll speak a bit further about that in the following segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Rockmart residence. Tuition will also be an important consideration when reviewing possible schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not always the right option. There are many other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are offered.
Defining Cosmetology
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. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic can be almost anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states require that you undergo some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Rockmart GA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many names and are employed in a wide range of specializations including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As previously stated, in most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those performing more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Degrees and Certificates
There are basically two pathways available 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 normally require 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. Briefer programs are offered if you wish to focus on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also likely include management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Rockmart GA business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you choose, it’s important to make certain that it’s approved by the Georgia Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the upcoming segment.
Online Beauty Programs
Online beauty schools are advantageous for Rockmart GA students who are working full time and have family commitments that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many online cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed via a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are frequently fast paced because many programs are as short as six or eight months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you’re not devoting many hours outside of your home or commuting back and forth from classes. However, it’s essential that the training program you choose can provide internship training in local salons and parlors in order that you also receive the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to gain the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is available in your area.
What to Ask Beauty Training Programs
Below is a list 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 Rockmart GA home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you want 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 initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must 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 decision.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the cosmetology training program you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in 30153 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 Rockmart GA employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every beauty institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Rockmart GA salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with the Georgia school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering 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 decide on a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your ambition is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to launch a hair salon in Rockmart GA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty program offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So try to find alternate schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a beauty program, it’s essential that he or she receives support in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with Rockmart GA businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which salons and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Most cosmetology schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Consult 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 available to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an alternative until you determine what financial help may be offered.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Rockmart GA?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Rockmart GA area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Rockmart, Georgia
Rockmart is a city in Polk County, Georgia, United States. The population was 4,199 according to a 2010 census. Rockmart developed as a railroad depot town when the Southern Railway built a station in the area.[1] The community was incorporated in 1872, and was named from abundant deposits of slate in the area.[6][7] The Rockmart Downtown Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Rockmart is located at 34°00′14″N 85°02′57″W / 34.003952°N 85.049202°W / 34.003952; -85.049202.[8] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.4 square miles (11 km2), of which 4.3 square miles (11 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) (0.69%) is water. The majority of the city of Rockmart is located in Polk County; however, parts of Rockmart stretch into Paulding County as well.
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 3,870 people, 1,541 households, and 1,027 families residing in the city. The population density was 892.0 people per square mile (344.3/km²). There were 1,681 housing units at an average density of 387.5 per square mile (149.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 79.82% White, 18.48% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.39% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.50% of the population.
Enroll in the Right Beauty Program near Rockmart GA
Locating and enrolling in the right cosmetology college is essential to get the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to organize all of the information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Rockmart GA.
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