How to Select a Cosmetology School near Dawson Iowa
Now that you have decided to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Dawson IA, the process starts to locate and enroll in the right school. It’s essential that the program you select not only furnishes the proper training for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be a little bit puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll talk a little bit more about that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Dawson home. Tuition will additionally be an important aspect when evaluating possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not automatically the best choice. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are offered.
Definition of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful with the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states mandate that you undergo some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Dawson IA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a customer base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many names 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 formerly mentioned, in most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption. Only those performing more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Certificates and Degrees
There are essentially two avenues offered to get 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 generally require 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 all of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you wish to concentrate on just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also probably include management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Dawson IA business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you opt for, it’s essential to make certain that it’s certified by the Iowa Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the following section.
Online Cosmetologist Training
Online cosmetology schools are advantageous for Dawson IA students who are employed full time and have family obligations that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based beauty school programs available that can be attended by means of a desktop 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 large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you’re not devoting many hours outside of your home or travelling to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s essential that the 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 part of the training, it’s difficult to obtain the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Beauty Programs
Following is a series of questions that you should look into for any cosmetologist training school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Dawson IA home, as well as the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first 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 choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have put together several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
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 recognized 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 assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in 50066 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Dawson IA employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each cosmetology college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Dawson IA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And last, contact the Iowa school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you select a school that focuses on 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 respected for that program. If your dream is to start a hair salon in Dawson IA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Learning and mastering cosmetology skills and techniques requires lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a beauty academy offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for acquiring 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 essential that she or he receives aid in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with Dawson IA employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Many cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an option until you determine what financial assistance may be provided.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Dawson IA?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Dawson IA area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Dawson, Iowa
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 131 people, 52 households, and 33 families residing in the city. The population density was 272.9 inhabitants per square mile (105.4/km2). There were 63 housing units at an average density of 131.3 per square mile (50.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.1% White, 0.8% African American, 1.5% from other races, and 4.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.6% of the population.
There were 52 households of which 38.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.9% were married couples living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.5% were non-families. 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.27.
The median age in the city was 37.3 years. 31.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.3% were from 25 to 44; 23.7% were from 45 to 64; and 14.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 54.2% male and 45.8% female.
Enroll in the Right Beauty Vocational School near Dawson IA
Picking and enrolling in the right cosmetology program is imperative to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to organize 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 compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that base, 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 selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Dawson IA.
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