How to Choose a Cosmetology School near Pocasset Massachusetts
Since you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Pocasset MA, the process begins to find and enroll in the best school. It’s imperative that the program you select not only furnishes the necessary instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be rather confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll talk a bit further regarding that in the next section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Pocasset residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when assessing prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not necessarily the best choice. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing 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 kinds of courses are offered.
What is Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human anatomy look more beautiful with the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic can be anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states require that you go through some kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Pocasset MA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many professional 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 formerly stated, in most states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In certain states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Degrees
There are primarily two avenues available to get 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 generally take 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 all of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you want to concentrate on just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also probably feature management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Pocasset MA business. Higher degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you go with, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s certified by the Massachusetts Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain reputable 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 upcoming section.
Online Beauty Training
Online beauty schools are advantageous for Pocasset MA students who are employed full time and have family commitments that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many online cosmetology school programs offered that can be accessed through a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty programs are often fast paced given that 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’re not spending numerous hours away from your home or travelling to and from classes. However, it’s important that the training program you pick can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So make sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
What to Ask Cosmetology Trade Schools
Following is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any beauty training program you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Pocasset MA home, as well as the expense of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt 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 need to research and consider 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 selection.
Is the Program 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 acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in 02559 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Pocasset MA 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? Each cosmetology institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Pocasset MA salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with the Massachusetts 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 Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your goal is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to start a hair salon in Pocasset MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty classes you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a beauty school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s important that he or she receives support in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help develope relationships with Pocasset MA businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of 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 discard it as an option until you find out what financial help may be offered.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Pocasset MA?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Pocasset MA area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Pocasset, Massachusetts
The village of Pocasset is a census-designated place (CDP) in the town of Bourne in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States, located on Buzzards Bay. The population was 2,851 at the 2010 census.[1]
Pocasset is located in the southwestern part of the town of Bourne. It is bordered to the north by the villages of Bourne and Monument Beach, to the east by the Massachusetts Route 28 highway; to the south by the village of Cataumet and Red Brook Pond and Red Brook Harbor; and to the west by the northern end of Buzzards Bay.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 9.8 square miles (25.3 km2). 3.7 square miles (9.5 km2) of it is land, and 6.1 square miles (15.8 km2) of it (62.42%) is water.[1]
Select the Right Cosmetology Training Program near Pocasset MA
Picking and enrolling in the ideal beauty college is essential to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your career as a professional cosmetologist in Pocasset MA.
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