How to Select a Beauty School near Macatawa Michigan

Once you have decided to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Macatawa MI, the process begins to locate and enroll in the best school. It’s important that the program you choose not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares 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 pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll talk a bit further concerning 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 Macatawa home. Tuition will additionally be a critical aspect when evaluating possible schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not always the right choice. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about 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.

Defining Cosmetology

Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states require that you take some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Macatawa MI beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a clientele, open their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing customers either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many 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 formerly mentioned, in the majority of states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In certain states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Certificates and Degrees

There are basically two options available to obtain cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually take 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 main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you want to specialize in just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also likely feature management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Macatawa MI business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you go with, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s approved by the Michigan Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the upcoming section.

Online Cosmetologist Programs

Online cosmetology schools are accommodating for Macatawa MI students who are working full-time and have family obligations that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of online cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty schools are often fast paced because many programs are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours away from your home or driving back and forth from classes. However, it’s important that the school you choose can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetology Degree Programs

Following is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any cosmetology training school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Macatawa MI home, as well as the price of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the cosmetology training program 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 measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 49434 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Macatawa MI employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Every cosmetology institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Macatawa MI salon owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the Michigan school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your objective 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 launch a hair salon in Macatawa MI, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Studying and refining cosmetology skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. So search for other schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from a cosmetology academy, it’s crucial that she or he receives assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with Macatawa MI businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  Most beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an option before you determine what financial aid may be available.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Macatawa MI?

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

Select the Right Beauty Training Program near Macatawa MI

Finding and enrolling in the right cosmetologist program is imperative to receive the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Don’t forget to consolidate all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the academy and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional cosmetologist in Macatawa MI.

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