How to Select a Beauty College near Scranton Iowa
Since you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Scranton IA, the process starts to search for and enroll in the best school. It’s imperative that the program you pick not only provides the appropriate education for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you may be somewhat confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a bit more about that in the following segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Scranton home. Tuition will additionally be a critical factor when assessing potential schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not necessarily the right option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are offered.
Definition of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human anatomy look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic may be anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states require that you go through some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Scranton IA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a clientele, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have 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 already stated, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption. Only those offering more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Certificates and Degrees
There are essentially two pathways offered 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 usually takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in each of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you prefer to concentrate on just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely feature management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Scranton IA business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you go with, it’s important to make sure that it’s approved by the Iowa Board of Cosmetology. Many states only approve schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the next section.
Online Cosmetology Training
Online beauty programs are convenient for Scranton IA students who are employed full-time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed through a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty programs are typically fast paced since many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours away from your home or driving back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s vital that the school you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to acquire the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is provided in your area.
What to Ask Beauty Schools
Below is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any beauty training school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Scranton IA home, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following 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 essential to make certain that the cosmetology college you select 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 assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in 51462 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Scranton IA employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any beauty school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent 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, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Scranton IA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And finally, check with the Iowa school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you enroll in a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your intention 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 desire is to launch a hair salon in Scranton 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 seeking will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering cosmetology skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty program provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. So search for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a cosmetology school, it’s essential that he or she gets help in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develope relationships with Scranton IA businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out 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 Aid Offered? Many beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 available to students too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an alternative before you find out what financial help may be provided.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Scranton IA?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Scranton IA area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Scranton, Iowa
Scranton was platted in 1869, shortly after the Cedar Rapids & Missouri River Railroad was built through that territory.[4] It was named for Joseph H. Scranton from Scranton, Pennsylvania.[5] Scranton was incorporated in 1880.[4]
Scranton's water tower, built in 1897, is the oldest working water tower in Iowa and 9th oldest in the United States. A fire occurred at the tower in 1907, initially started to melt ice that had caused the town to be without water. Three men were injured attempting to put the fire out, although the tower itself did not suffer any major damage.[6]
Scranton is located along U.S. Route 30 at 42°1′20″N 94°32′46″W / 42.02222°N 94.54611°W / 42.02222; -94.54611 (42.022197, -94.546047),[7] in the valley of the North Raccoon River.
Find the Right Beauty Program near Scranton IA
Locating and enrolling in the right beauty college is imperative to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to organize all of the responses you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the academy and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin 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 right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Scranton IA.
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