Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Summit Argo IL

How to Pick a Beauty College near Summit Argo Illinois

nail technicians training at Summit Argo IL beauty school Now that you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Summit Argo IL, the task starts to find and enroll in the ideal school. It’s imperative that the school you pick not only furnishes the necessary instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be somewhat puzzled 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 speak a bit more concerning that in the following section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Summit Argo home. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when assessing prospective schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not automatically the ideal option. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are looking at 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.

Defining Cosmetology

Summit Argo IL makeup ar4tist applying makeup 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 described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be almost anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you go through some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Summit Argo IL beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many names 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 already stated, in the majority of states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Certificates and Degrees

Summit Argo IL hairdresser cutting hair There are basically two avenues available to obtain cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs generally 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 each of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you wish to concentrate on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also probably feature management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Summit Argo IL business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you choose, it’s important to make certain that it’s approved by the Illinois Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only approve schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the upcoming segment.

Online Cosmetology Programs

student attending cosmetology school online in Summit Argo IL Online cosmetology classes are accommodating for Summit Argo IL students who are working full time and have family obligations that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based beauty school programs offered that can be accessed via a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are often fast paced because many programs are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a significant portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same volume of material, but you’re not devoting numerous hours away from your home or commuting back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s important that the school you pick can provide internship training in area salons and parlors in order that you also get the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

What to Ask Cosmetology Degree Programs

Questions to ask Summit Argo IL beauty schools Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any cosmetologist training program you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Summit Argo IL home, together with the expense of tuition, will probably 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 narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must 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 selection.

Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the cosmetology school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified 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 guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 60501 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Summit Argo IL employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any cosmetologist college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements 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 connections with Summit Argo IL salon owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And last, check with the Illinois school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed 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, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering 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 essential that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your goal 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 desire is to launch a hair salon in Summit Argo IL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering cosmetology skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty academy provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. So look for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a beauty school, it’s crucial that she or he receives help in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid develope relationships with Summit Argo IL employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which salons and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered? The majority of cosmetology schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out 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 accessible to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you learn what financial help may be offered.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Summit Argo IL?

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

Summit, Illinois

Summit (or Summit-Argo) is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 11,054 at the 2010 census.[3] The village is arguably best known as the setting to Ernest Hemingway's 1927 short story "The Killers".

According to the 2010 census, Summit has a total area of 2.257 square miles (5.85 km2), of which 2.12 square miles (5.49 km2) (or 93.93%) is land and 0.137 square miles (0.35 km2) (or 6.07%) is water.[5] Most of "Summit" is in the floodplain of the Des Plaines River.[6]

As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 10,637 people, 3,356 households, and 2,416 families residing in the village. The population density was 5,008.7 people per square mile (1,937.2/km²). There were 3,552 housing units at an average density of 1,672.6 per square mile (646.9/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 63.31% White, 12.05% African American, 0.30% Native American, 1.41% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 19.64% from other races, and 3.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 48.47% of the population, with Mexican Americans representing 44.3%.

Pick the Right Cosmetologist Training Program near Summit Argo IL

Summit Argo IL barber blow drying client's hair Finding and enrolling in the ideal beauty school is imperative to get the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Don’t forget to collect all of the information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Summit Argo IL.