How to Choose a Cosmetology School near Brownsburg Indiana
Now that you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Brownsburg IN, the task begins to find and enroll in the right school. It’s important that the school you pick not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be somewhat confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll talk a little bit further concerning that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Brownsburg residence. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when evaluating possible schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not necessarily the right choice. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about 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 courses are offered.
What is 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 many cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states require that you take some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Brownsburg IN 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 seeing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles and are employed in a wide range of specialties including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As earlier mentioned, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Degrees and Certificates
There are essentially two options 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 normally take 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate’s degree usually takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you wish to specialize in just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also likely incorporate management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Brownsburg IN business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you go with, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s approved by the Indiana Board of Cosmetology. Many states only approve schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the next segment.
Online Beauty Programs
Online cosmetology classes are accommodating for Brownsburg IN students who are employed full time and have family obligations that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of online beauty school programs offered that can be attended via a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are often fast paced due to the fact that many courses are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a considerable portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not spending numerous hours away from your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it’s important that the training program you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to gain the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.
What to Ask Cosmetology Schools
Below is a series of questions that you should investigate for any beauty training program you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Brownsburg IN home, together with the price of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the cosmetology college 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 46112 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Brownsburg IN businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any cosmetologist institute 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 testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Brownsburg IN salon owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And last, check with the Indiana school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently 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 vision is to open a hair salon in Brownsburg IN, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. So try to find other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a cosmetology academy, it’s important that she or he receives assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develope relationships with Brownsburg IN employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you find out what financial help may be offered.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Brownsburg IN?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Brownsburg IN area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Brownsburg, Indiana
Brownsburg is a town in Hendricks County, Indiana, United States. The population was 21,285 at the 2010 Census, an increase from 14,520 in 2000.[6] As of 2016[update] the estimated population was 25,408.[3]
In 2009, Brownsburg was ranked #33 (and highest ranking town in Indiana) on CNN Money Magazine's list of America's best small towns. The magazine cited Brownsburg's low crime, strong economy and excellent schools as factors for placing Brownsburg at the top.[7]
Brownsburg is located in northeastern Hendricks County at 39°50′31″N 86°23′44″W / 39.84194°N 86.39556°W / 39.84194; -86.39556 (39.842032, -86.395641).[8] It is bordered to the east by Clermont and Indianapolis in Marion County, to the south by Avon, and to the northwest by Pittsboro. U.S. Route 136 is Brownsburg's Main Street, leading southeast 15 miles (24 km) to downtown Indianapolis and northwest through Pittsboro 30 miles (48 km) to Crawfordsville. Interstate 74 parallels US-136 and runs through the northern side of Brownsburg, with access from Exits 66 and 68. I-74 leads southeast to Indianapolis and west-northwest 107 miles (172 km) to Urbana–Champaign, Illinois. Interstate 65 passes approximately 8 miles (13 km) northeast of the community, and Interstate 70 about 13 miles (21 km) south. State Road 267 (Green Street) runs north and south through the middle of Brownsburg and serves as one of the town's main thoroughfares.
Choose the Right Beauty Program near Brownsburg IN
Choosing and enrolling in the right beauty college is imperative to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the responses you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the academy and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Brownsburg IN.
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