How to Choose a Cosmetologist College near Watkinsville Georgia

Now that you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Watkinsville GA, the process starts to locate and enroll in the right school. It’s important that the program you choose not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be rather confused about the distinction 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 talk a little bit more regarding that in the next section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Watkinsville residence. Tuition will additionally be an important aspect when evaluating potential schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it’s not automatically the best choice. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as 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 discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are offered.

Definition of Cosmetology

Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more beautiful through the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be 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 undergo some kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Watkinsville GA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a clientele, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have 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 already mentioned, in the majority of states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption. Only those offering 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.

Cosmetology Degrees

There are basically two pathways available to receive 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 finish, while an Associate’s degree commonly takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you wish to focus on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also probably feature management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Watkinsville GA business. Higher degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you opt for, it’s important to make certain that it’s recognized by the Georgia Board of Cosmetology. Many states only approve schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the following section.

Online Cosmetology Classes

Online beauty programs are advantageous for Watkinsville GA students who are employed full-time and have family responsibilities that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be accessed through a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty schools are often fast paced since many courses are as short as six or eight months. This means that a large portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you’re not devoting numerous hours away from your home or travelling back and forth from classes. However, it’s imperative that the school you select can provide internship training in local salons and parlors in order that you also obtain the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive 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 be sure if you choose to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Cosmetology Training Programs

Below is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any beauty training school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Watkinsville GA residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will probably 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 narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the cosmetology training program you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in 30677 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Watkinsville GA businesses 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?  Any cosmetologist institute that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Watkinsville GA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And 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 cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically 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 goal 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 aspiration is to start a hair salon in Watkinsville 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 poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you need.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Learning and perfecting cosmetology techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty lessons 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 school offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from a beauty program, it’s crucial that he or she receives assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develope relationships with Watkinsville GA businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and organizations they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  Almost all beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an alternative until you determine what financial help may be offered.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Watkinsville GA?

If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Watkinsville GA area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.

Choose the Right Cosmetology School near Watkinsville GA

Picking and enrolling in the ideal beauty program is essential to receive the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to consolidate all of the information you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and address 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 choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Watkinsville GA.

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