How to Choose a Beauty College near Dixfield Maine
Since you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Dixfield ME, the process begins to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It’s imperative that the school you choose not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be rather confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a bit more concerning that in the upcoming segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Dixfield residence. Tuition will additionally be an important consideration when assessing possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not necessarily the ideal option. There are many other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about 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 training programs are offered.
Definition of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more attractive with 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 may be almost 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 form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Dixfield ME beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many titles 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 already mentioned, in most states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those offering more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Degrees and Certificates
There are essentially two options available to get 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 usually take 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree ordinarily 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 offered if you prefer to focus on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also probably feature management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Dixfield ME business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training 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 cover the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the next section.
Online Cosmetology Programs
Online cosmetology programs are advantageous for Dixfield ME students who are employed full time and have family obligations that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many online cosmetology school programs available that can be attended via a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are frequently fast paced since many programs are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a large portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are covering the same volume of material, but you are not devoting many hours away from your home or travelling back and forth from classes. However, it’s vital that the training program you pick can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors to ensure that you also receive the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to acquire the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is available in your area.
What to Ask Cosmetology Training Classes
Below is a list of questions that you should investigate for any cosmetologist training program you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Dixfield ME home, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have compiled several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the School Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the cosmetology college you pick 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in 04224 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 Dixfield ME employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any cosmetology institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Dixfield ME salon owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And finally, check with the Maine school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating 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 expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you decide on 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 respected for that program. If your dream is to start a hair salon in Dixfield ME, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct 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 need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and refining cosmetology skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty academy offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a cosmetology school, it’s imperative that he or she gets support in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help develope relationships with Dixfield ME employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher 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 offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an option before you determine what financial help may be available.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Dixfield ME?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Dixfield ME area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Dixfield, Maine
Dixfield is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,550 at the 2010 census. The town motto of Dixfield is "The Only One" because it is the only town in the world to claim that name. Dr. Elijah Dix, a substantial landowner in the area, bought the town (and Dixmont) which bears his name.[4]
The Massachusetts General Court granted the township in 1789 to Colonel Jonathan Holman of Sutton, Massachusetts (now Millbury), an American Revolutionary War veteran, together with 25 others. In 1795, the first permanent settlers arrived with their families—John Marble, Gardner Brown, Amos Trask, Levi Newton, David Torrey and John Gould.[5] It was called Holmantown Plantation until part of it was incorporated on June 21, 1803 as Dixfield, the 147th town in Maine (the remainder of the plantation would be incorporated in 1818 as Mexico). Dr. Elijah Dix of Boston, a substantial landowner in the area, promised to donate a library for the town if the citizens changed its name from Holmantown to Dixfield. The citizens complied, after which the town received dusty old boxes of medical books printed in German.[6] Dr. Dix also left his name on Dixmont, where he died while visiting in 1809 and was buried.
With several streams for water power, Dixfield developed into a small mill town. It had sawmills and gristmills. It also produced cheese, carriages, shingles, toothpicks, rakes, wooden boxes, flies and leaders, boots and shoes. Dixfield once had a marble works.[7]
Find the Right Beauty Training Program near Dixfield ME
Finding and enrolling in the right cosmetology college is essential to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are qualified to begin your career as a professional cosmetologist in Dixfield ME.
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