Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Dowling MI

How to Select a Beauty School near Dowling Michigan

nail technicians training at Dowling MI beauty school Now that you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Dowling MI, the task begins to find and enroll in the right school. It’s important that the program you choose not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you may be somewhat unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We’ll talk a little bit further about that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Dowling residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical factor when assessing prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not automatically the best choice. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of training programs are available.

Definition of Cosmetology

Dowling MI makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful with the application of cosmetics. So of course 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 term 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 mandate that you go through some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Dowling MI beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a customer base, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles and are employed 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 have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption. Only those offering more skilled services, for example 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.

Cosmetology Degrees

Dowling MI hairdresser cutting hair There are essentially two options 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 typically require 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree usually takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you wish to concentrate on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely feature management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Dowling MI business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you opt for, it’s essential to make certain that it’s approved by the Michigan Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the following segment.

Online Beauty Classes

student attending cosmetology school online in Dowling MI Online beauty schools are advantageous for Dowling MI students who are employed full-time and have family obligations that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous online beauty school programs available that can be accessed by means of a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are often fast paced given that many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a considerable amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours away from your home or travelling back and forth from classes. However, it’s imperative that the program you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors to ensure that you also get the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to obtain the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetology Training Classes

Questions to ask Dowling MI beauty schools Following is a series of questions that you need to look into for any cosmetologist training school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Dowling MI residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn 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 initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have put together several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the cosmetology college you choose 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in 49050 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Dowling MI employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each cosmetologist college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Dowling MI salon owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, check with the Michigan school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? A number of 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 broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a school that specializes in 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 vision is to open a hair salon in Dowling MI, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering cosmetology skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty academy provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a cosmetology academy, it’s essential that he or she receives assistance in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help develope relationships with Dowling MI businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Most cosmetology schools provide 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 learn 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 all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an option until you find out what financial help may be available.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Dowling MI?

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

Dowling, Michigan

The settlement was informally named "Baltimore" as early as 1842 in memory of the home of prominent settlers. A post office named Baltimore was established in May 1850. The name was changed to Dowling in March 1880.[2]

Dowling is located southeast of the center of Barry County. The center of town is located at the intersection of state highway M-37 and East Dowling Road. M-37 leads north 9 miles (14 km) to Hastings, the Barry County seat, and south 16 miles (26 km) to downtown Battle Creek.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Dowling CDP has a total area of 6.3 square miles (16.3 km2), of which 6.1 square miles (15.7 km2) is land and 2.0 square miles (5.2 km2), or 3.21%, is water,[1] consisting of the northern half of Clear Lake.

Find the Right Cosmetology College near Dowling MI

Dowling MI barber blow drying client's hair Selecting and enrolling in the ideal cosmetology school is imperative to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Make 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, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you pick are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that base, 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. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Dowling MI.