Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Hudsonville MI

How to Pick a Cosmetology School near Hudsonville Michigan

nail technicians training at Hudsonville MI beauty school Now that you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Hudsonville MI, the process starts to find and enroll in the ideal school. It’s imperative that the program you select not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. 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 pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a little bit further about that in the following section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Hudsonville home. Tuition will also be an important consideration when reviewing potential schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not automatically the best option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are available.

Defining Cosmetology

Hudsonville MI makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more beautiful through the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that numerous 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 look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states mandate that you take some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Hudsonville MI beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a customer base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many professional names and work in a wide variety of specialties 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 a few states there is an exemption. Only those performing 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 get licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Certificates and Degrees

Hudsonville MI hairdresser cutting hair There are essentially two avenues available to obtain cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs normally call for 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 trained in each of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you want to focus on just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also likely include management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Hudsonville MI business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you decide on, it’s essential to make sure that it’s certified by the Michigan Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the next section.

Online Cosmetology Classes

student attending cosmetology school online in Hudsonville MI Online beauty programs are convenient for Hudsonville MI students who are employed full-time and have family commitments that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous online beauty school programs available that can be accessed via a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are often fast paced because many courses are as short as six or eight months. This means that a considerable portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, 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 essential that the training program you pick can provide internship training in local 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 gain the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So make sure if you choose to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetology Training Courses

Questions to ask Hudsonville MI beauty schools Following is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any cosmetologist training school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Hudsonville MI home, together with the cost of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably 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 must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the cosmetology college you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, 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 may also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in 49426 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Hudsonville MI businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each cosmetology school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements 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 demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Hudsonville MI salon owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, contact the Michigan school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your goal is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to start a hair salon in Hudsonville MI, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you require.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering cosmetology skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their growing talents 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 option for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a cosmetology program, it’s essential that he or she receives support in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help develope relationships with Hudsonville MI employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which salons and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered? The majority of cosmetology schools provide 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 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 offered to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an alternative before you determine what financial aid may be offered.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Hudsonville MI?

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

Hudsonville, Michigan

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 7,116 people, 2,582 households, and 1,901 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,718.8 inhabitants per square mile (663.6/km2). There were 2,712 housing units at an average density of 655.1 per square mile (252.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.3% White, 1.5% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 1.3% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.2% of the population.

There were 2,582 households of which 37.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.4% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 26.4% were non-families. 23.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.20.

The median age in the city was 33.5 years. 28.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.8% were from 25 to 44; 22.5% were from 45 to 64; and 14.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.

Find the Right Beauty Program near Hudsonville MI

Hudsonville MI barber blow drying client's hair Selecting and enrolling in the ideal beauty program is important to receive the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the academy and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Hudsonville MI.