Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Cedar Lake IN

How to Choose a Cosmetology School near Cedar Lake Indiana

nail technicians training at Cedar Lake IN beauty school Since you have decided to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Cedar Lake IN, the task begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It’s imperative that the school you choose not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be rather confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We’ll talk a bit further regarding that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Cedar Lake home. Tuition will additionally be a critical factor when evaluating possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not automatically the right choice. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning 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 types of courses are available.

Definition of Cosmetology

Cedar Lake IN makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human anatomy look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically 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 require that you go through some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Cedar Lake IN beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses 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 home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many professional names 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 already stated, in most states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Degrees and Certificates

Cedar Lake IN hairdresser cutting hair There are primarily two avenues available to receive 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 typically take 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree commonly 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 want to specialize in just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Cedar Lake IN business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you decide on, it’s essential to make certain that it’s recognized by the Indiana Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the next segment.

Online Cosmetology Training

student attending cosmetology school online in Cedar Lake IN Online cosmetology programs are accommodating for Cedar Lake IN students who are employed full time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be attended by means of a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are often fast paced due to the fact that many programs are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you’re not spending many hours outside of your home or commuting back and forth from classes. However, it’s essential that the school you select can provide internship training in area salons and parlors to ensure that you also get the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Cosmetologist Schools

Questions to ask Cedar Lake IN beauty schools Following is a list of questions that you need to research for any beauty training program you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Cedar Lake IN residence, together with the price of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the cosmetology training program you enroll in 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 measure up to their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in 46303 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Cedar Lake IN businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every cosmetology college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. 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, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Cedar Lake IN salon owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And finally, contact the Indiana school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are broad 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 often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your objective 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 dream is to launch a hair salon in Cedar Lake IN, then you want 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 require.

Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and mastering cosmetology skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology courses 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 furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s essential that she or he receives support in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid develope relationships with Cedar Lake IN businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which salons and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available? Most beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an option before you learn what financial aid may be offered.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Cedar Lake IN?

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

Cedar Lake, Indiana

Cedar Lake is a town in Hanover and Center townships, Lake County, Indiana, United States. The population was 11,560 at the 2010 census. The town is known for Cedar Lake (formerly Lake of the Red Cedars, Armour).

Cedar Lake was settled by pioneers in the mid-19th century and was originally named West Point; the name “Cedar Lake” belonged to a nearby town that is now called Creston, Indiana.[7] In 1839, the town that was then called West Point competed with the settlements of Liverpool and Lake Court House (later called Crown Point) to be the county seat of Lake County, but lost out to Liverpool.[7] By 1870, the Cedar Lake Post Office was established, giving the area a new name. After the Monon Railroad came to the lake's western shore in 1882, many new residents flocked to the area along with tourists who saw the lake as a resort destination. From the late 19th century to the early 20th century, Cedar Lake was a popular place for Chicagoans looking for a retreat from the city. The lake had over 50 hotels at the time and several pavilions and ballrooms that brought many well-known bands to entertain the visitors.[8]

According to the 2010 census, Cedar Lake has a total area of 9.61 square miles (24.89 km2), of which 8.22 square miles (21.29 km2) (or 85.54%) is land and 1.39 square miles (3.60 km2) (or 14.46%) is water.[11] The lake, which is the largest natural lake in northwest Indiana, appears to have formed from glacial meltwaters. There is an abundance of hills around the lake, which are evidence of the Valparaiso Moraine running through the area.

Pick the Right Beauty School near Cedar Lake IN

Cedar Lake IN barber blow drying client's hair Choosing and enrolling in the ideal cosmetology school is essential to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the responses you get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your career as a professional cosmetologist in Cedar Lake IN.