Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Oak Grove KY

How to Select a Beauty School near Oak Grove Kentucky

nail technicians training at Oak Grove KY beauty school Now that you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Oak Grove KY, the process starts to find and enroll in the right school. It’s essential that the school you select not only furnishes the proper instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be a little bit puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll talk a little bit more concerning that in the next section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Oak Grove home. Tuition will additionally be an important consideration when evaluating prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not automatically the best option. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are available.

Defining Cosmetology

Oak Grove KY makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human anatomy look more attractive with the application 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 word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states mandate that you take some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Oak Grove KY beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a client base, open their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients either in their own residences or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many professional names and are employed in a wide variety of specialties including:

Hairdressers
Hairstylists
Beauticians
Barbers
Manicurists
Nail Technicians
Makeup Artists
Hair Coloring Specialists
Estheticians
Electrolysis Technicians

As previously mentioned, in most states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exception. Only those conducting 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 Degrees

Oak Grove KY hairdresser cutting hair There are essentially two pathways offered to obtain cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs normally 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 all of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you want to concentrate on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also probably incorporate management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Oak Grove KY business. Higher degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you opt for, it’s essential to make certain that it’s recognized by the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the following section.

Online Cosmetology Programs

student attending cosmetology school online in Oak Grove KY Online beauty programs are advantageous for Oak Grove KY students who are working full time and have family responsibilities that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based beauty school programs offered that can be accessed through a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology programs are typically fast paced given that many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a substantial portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you’re not spending numerous hours away from your home or commuting to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s important that the school you pick can provide internship training in local salons and parlors in order that you also get the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is available in your area.

What to Ask Cosmetology Training Programs

Questions to ask Oak Grove KY beauty schools Below is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any cosmetology training school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Oak Grove KY home, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn 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 take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the cosmetology training program 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in 42262 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Oak Grove 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? Each beauty institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Oak Grove KY salon owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, consult the Kentucky school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you choose 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 respected for that program. If your dream is to start a hair salon in Oak Grove KY, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you require.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering cosmetology skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. So try to find alternate 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 important that she or he gets aid in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with Oak Grove KY businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which salons and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered? The majority of cosmetology schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an option until you determine what financial aid may be available.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Oak Grove KY?

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

Oak Grove, Kentucky

Oak Grove is a home rule-class city[3] adjacent to the Fort Campbell army base in Christian County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 7,489 as of the 2010 U.S. Census.[4] It is part of the Clarksville, Tennessee metropolitan area.

The first post office in Oak Grove was established in 1828.[5] The community was named for oak trees near the original town site.[6] The Clarksville Railroad was extended to Oak Grove in the 19th century.[7]

Oak Grove is located in southeastern Christian County at 36°39′30″N 87°25′10″W / 36.65833°N 87.41944°W / 36.65833; -87.41944 (36.658374, -87.419565).[8] Its southern border is the Tennessee state line, and it is bordered to the west by Fort Campbell. Hopkinsville, the Christian County seat, touches the northwest corner of Oak Grove along Fort Campbell Boulevard (U.S. Route 41 Alternate). Interstate 24 forms the northeast boundary of Oak Grove, with access from exit 86 (US 41 Alt.) and exit 89 (Kentucky Route 115). The city of Clarksville, Tennessee, is along the southern boundary of Oak Grove.

Find the Right Beauty Training Program near Oak Grove KY

Oak Grove KY barber blow drying client's hair Locating and enrolling in the ideal cosmetology college is imperative to get the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to 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 compare schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, 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 selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your career as a professional cosmetologist in Oak Grove KY.