How to Select a Beauty College near Abbot Maine
Now that you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Abbot ME, the task begins to find and enroll in the ideal school. It’s imperative that the program you select not only provides the appropriate education for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be rather puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll talk a bit more about that in the following segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Abbot home. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when evaluating prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not necessarily the ideal option. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are offered.
Definition of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more beautiful through the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic can be almost anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you go through some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Abbot ME beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing customers either in their own residences or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many professional 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 earlier mentioned, in the majority of states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In some 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, such as shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Degrees and Certificates
There are primarily two pathways offered to receive cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually require 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 trained in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you prefer to specialize in just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely incorporate management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Abbot ME business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you decide on, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s recognized by the Maine Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only certify schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the following section.
Online Cosmetology Programs
Online cosmetology schools are advantageous for Abbot ME students who are employed full-time and have family commitments that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of online beauty school programs available that can be attended through a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are typically fast paced given that many courses are as short as six or eight months. This means that a substantial amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you’re not devoting many hours away from your home or travelling back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s essential that the school you pick can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to obtain the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.
Questions to Ask Cosmetology Training Courses
Following is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any cosmetologist training program you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Abbot ME home, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely 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 preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have put together several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the cosmetology college 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 guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in 04406 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Abbot ME businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any cosmetology institute that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Abbot ME salon owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And finally, contact the Maine school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? 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 typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your ambition 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 aspiration is to open a hair salon in Abbot ME, then you need 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 seeking will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining cosmetology skills and techniques demands lots 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 developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty program furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a cosmetology school, it’s important that he or she receives aid in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with Abbot ME businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and organizations they refer students to. In addition, ask 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 Assistance Available? Most beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and find out 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 accessible to students too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you determine what financial aid may be offered.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Abbot ME?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Abbot ME area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Abbot, Maine
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.70 square miles (92.46 km2), of which, 34.53 square miles (89.43 km2) of it is land and 1.17 square miles (3.03 km2) is water.[1]
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 714 people, 311 households, and 214 families residing in the town. The population density was 20.7 inhabitants per square mile (8.0/km2). There were 572 housing units at an average density of 16.6 per square mile (6.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.3% White, 0.1% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.1% Asian, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.6% of the population.
There were 311 households of which 23.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.2% were non-families. 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.62.
Choose the Right Cosmetologist Vocational School near Abbot ME
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal cosmetologist program is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the responses you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are ready to begin your career as a professional cosmetologist in Abbot ME.
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