How to Pick a Cosmetology College near Middleburg Kentucky
Since you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Middleburg KY, the process starts to find and enroll in the best school. It’s essential that the school you select not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be rather unclear 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 kind of school. We’ll speak a little bit further concerning that in the following section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Middleburg residence. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when evaluating prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not necessarily the ideal option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are available.
Definition of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more beautiful through the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states require that you take some kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Middleburg KY beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gotten experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients either in their own residences or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many names and work in a wide variety of specializations including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As formerly stated, in the majority of states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption. Only those offering more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Degrees
There are primarily two pathways 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 usually call for 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate’s degree commonly 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 offered if you prefer to specialize in just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Middleburg KY business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you go with, it’s important to make certain that it’s recognized by the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the upcoming segment.
Online Cosmetologist Programs
Online beauty programs are advantageous for Middleburg KY students who are working full-time and have family obligations that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many web-based beauty school programs available that can be accessed via a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are often fast paced given that many courses are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you’re not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or driving to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s important that the program you select can provide internship training in local salons and parlors in order that you also receive the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Cosmetologist Training Courses
Below is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any cosmetology training school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Middleburg KY residence, together with the cost of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have compiled several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make sure 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 comply with their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in 42541 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Middleburg KY 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 Good Reputation? Any beauty institute that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Middleburg KY salon owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. Finally, check with the Kentucky school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted 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, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often 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 ambition 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 dream is to launch a hair salon in Middleburg KY, then you need 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 provide the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty program provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So look for other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a cosmetology academy, it’s crucial that he or she receives aid in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with Middleburg KY employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad 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 considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn 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 as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an alternative until you determine what financial aid may be available.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Middleburg KY?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Middleburg KY area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Kentucky Route 198
Kentucky Route 198 (KY 198) is a 12.5-mile-long (20.1 km) state highway in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The highway connects Yosemite and Turnersville with mostly rural areas of Casey and Lincoln counties.
KY 198 begins at an intersection with KY 70 in Yosemite, within Casey County. It travels to the northeast and immediately crosses Knob Lick Creek. It curves to a nearly due north direction. It crosses over the Green River and enters Middleburg. It intersects the southern terminus of KY 3196 (College Street). KY 198 curves to the northwest and intersects the eastern terminus of KY 1552 (Short Town Road). It heads north and then northeast and intersects the western terminus of KY 3270 (Indian Creek Road). The highway heads north and intersects the southern terminus of KY 698. It then enters Lincoln County. It curves to the northeast and crosses over Pine Lick Creek. It crosses over Peltis Fork and then curves to the north-northeast. The highway passes McKinney Cemetery before curving to the east. It then enters McKinney. Just before an intersection with Durham Street, it curves to the north-northwest. It passes McKinney Elementary School and curves to the east-northeast. It crosses some railroad tracks and intersects the northern terminus of KY 1778 (Geneva–McKinney Road). KY 198 heads to the north-northeast and then the northeast. It then curves back to the north-northeast and parallels Peyton Creek. After a crossing of Martins Branch, it meets its northern terminus, an intersection with KY 78 in Turnersville.[1]
Select the Right Beauty Training Program near Middleburg KY
Finding and enrolling in the ideal cosmetology program is imperative to obtain the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the responses you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided 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 exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Middleburg KY.
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