How to Choose a Cosmetology School near Owosso Michigan
Once you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Owosso MI, the task begins to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It’s important that the school you pick not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may be rather unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll speak a bit more concerning that in the upcoming segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Owosso residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when reviewing prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not automatically the ideal choice. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are offered.
Definition of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human anatomy look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you go through some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Owosso MI beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a customer base, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own residences or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many professional names and are employed in a wide range 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 practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Degrees
There are basically two pathways available to receive 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 generally take 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate’s degree ordinarily takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in each of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you wish to focus on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also probably include management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Owosso MI business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you go with, it’s essential to make certain that it’s certified by the Michigan Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the upcoming section.
Online Cosmetology Schools
Online beauty programs are advantageous for Owosso MI students who are employed full-time and have family responsibilities that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are many online cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed by means of a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty programs are often fast paced because 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’re not devoting numerous hours away from your home or commuting to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s vital that the school you choose can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to obtain the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.
What to Ask Cosmetologist Training Programs
Following is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any cosmetology training school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Owosso MI residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the cosmetology college you pick 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in 48867 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Owosso MI businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any cosmetologist school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Owosso MI salon owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, 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 considered. And finally, check with the Michigan school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints 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, 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 frequently broaden 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 objective 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 launch a hair salon in Owosso 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 weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and mastering cosmetology skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty academy offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. So search for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a beauty program, it’s crucial that he or she receives assistance in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help develope relationships with Owosso MI employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an alternative before you determine what financial assistance may be provided.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Owosso MI?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Owosso MI area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Owosso, Michigan
Owosso is a city in Shiawassee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 15,194 at the 2010 census. The city is located on the eastern side of Owosso Township, but is politically independent. The city was named after Chief Wasso, an Ojibwa leader of the Shiawassee area.[6]. Owosso is the largest city in Shiawassee County.
Alfred L. and Benjamin O. Williams were early settlers to the town. They drew Elias Comstock, who built the first permanent home in the settlement. Owosso was incorporated as a city in 1859 at which time it had 1000 people. It had never had a period as a village.[7] The town's first mayor was Amos Gould, a judge originally from New York. In 1876, it organized its fire department.[8]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.37 square miles (13.91 km2), of which 5.23 square miles (13.55 km2) is land and 0.14 square miles (0.36 km2) is water.[1]
Find the Right Beauty Vocational School near Owosso MI
Choosing and enrolling in the right cosmetologist program is essential to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to organize all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, 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 confident that you are qualified to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Owosso MI.
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