How to Pick a Beauty School near Stephens Georgia
Once you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Stephens GA, the process begins to find and enroll in the ideal school. It’s important that the program you select not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be rather confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We’ll speak a little bit further concerning that in the next segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Stephens residence. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when reviewing prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not automatically the ideal option. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are available.
Definition of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human anatomy look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many 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 anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you undergo some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Stephens GA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a clientele, open their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many titles and work in a wide variety of specialties including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As earlier stated, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption. Only those conducting more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Certificates and Degrees
There are basically two avenues 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 generally take 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree usually takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you prefer to concentrate on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely feature management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Stephens GA business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you decide on, it’s essential to make sure that it’s recognized by the Georgia Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the next segment.
Online Beauty Courses
Online beauty schools are accommodating for Stephens GA students who are employed full-time and have family responsibilities that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous online beauty school programs available that can be accessed through a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty programs are frequently fast paced given that many programs are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a substantial portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same amount of material, but you’re not devoting many hours away from your home or travelling back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s essential that the school you choose can provide internship training in local salons and parlors to ensure that you also get the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So make sure if you choose to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Beauty Trade Schools
Following is a list of questions that you should look into for any cosmetology training program you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Stephens GA residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the cosmetology training program you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, 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 necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in 30667 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Stephens GA employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each cosmetology school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Stephens GA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, 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. Finally, consult 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 beauty schools offer programs that are broad 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 choose a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your intention is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your vision is to launch a hair salon in Stephens GA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Learning and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a beauty academy provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a cosmetology academy, it’s imperative that he or she receives assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help develope relationships with Stephens GA employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Many cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an alternative before you learn what financial aid may be offered.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Stephens GA?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Stephens GA area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Stephens County, Georgia
Originally inhabited by Mississippi Indian mound builders and then by Cherokee Indians, the first non-Indians in the area were Revolutionary War veterans who migrated up the Savannah River and the Tugaloo River after the war. Created on August 18, 1905 from parts of Franklin County and Habersham County, the county is named for Alexander Stephens, U.S. representative, Vice President of the Confederate States of America, and fifty-third governor of Georgia.
The northern half of Stephens County is located in the Tugaloo River sub-basin of the Savannah River basin, while the southern half of the county is located in the Broad River sub-basin of the same Savannah River basin.[7]
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 26,175 people, 10,289 households, and 7,236 families residing in the county.[13] The population density was 146.1 inhabitants per square mile (56.4/km2). There were 12,662 housing units at an average density of 70.7 per square mile (27.3/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 85.1% white, 10.9% black or African American, 0.7% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 1.0% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.4% of the population.[13] In terms of ancestry, 14.7% were American, 9.1% were Irish, 8.1% were German, and 7.4% were English.[15]
Choose the Right Beauty College near Stephens GA
Locating and enrolling in the right beauty program is important to receive the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the responses you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to filter 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 launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Stephens GA.
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