Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Blaine MN

How to Find the Right Cosmetologist College near Blaine Minnesota

nail technicians training at Blaine MN beauty school Now that you have decided to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Blaine MN, the process begins to search for and enroll in the best school. It’s important that the program you select not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you might be a little bit confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a little bit more regarding that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Blaine residence. Tuition will also be an important consideration when reviewing prospective schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not necessarily the ideal choice. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are offered.

What is Cosmetology

Blaine MN makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human anatomy look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you undergo some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Blaine MN beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gotten experience and a customer base, open their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many 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 stated, in most states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption. 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.

Cosmetology Degrees

Blaine MN hairdresser cutting hair There are primarily two pathways available to get cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs typically call for 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 instructed in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you wish to specialize in just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely incorporate management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Blaine MN business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you opt for, it’s important to make sure that it’s approved by the Minnesota Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only approve schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the next section.

Online Cosmetology Programs

student attending cosmetology school online in Blaine MN Online cosmetology classes are advantageous for Blaine MN students who are employed full-time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many online cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed via a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty programs are often fast paced because many programs are as short as six or eight months. This means that a considerable amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you are not spending many hours away from your home or travelling back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s vital that the training program you choose can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors in order that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

What to Ask Cosmetology Degree Programs

Questions to ask Blaine MN beauty schools Following is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any cosmetologist training program you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Blaine MN residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following 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 certain that the cosmetology training program you choose 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 superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in 41124 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Blaine MN employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every beauty college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Blaine MN salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And finally, consult the Minnesota school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you decide on a school that focuses on 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 well regarded for that program. If your dream is to start a hair salon in Blaine MN, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques demands lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a beauty program offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So look for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a beauty school, it’s imperative that she or he gets help in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help develope relationships with Blaine MN employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which salons and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Most cosmetology schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. 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 as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an alternative before you find out what financial aid may be offered.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Blaine MN?

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

Blaine, Minnesota

Blaine is a city in Anoka and Ramsey counties in the State of Minnesota. The population was 57,186 at the 2010 census.[6] The city is located mainly in Anoka County, and is part of the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area.

Until 1877, Blaine was part of the city of Anoka, Minnesota. Phillip Laddy, a native of Ireland, is recognized as the first settler in Blaine and settled near a lake that now bears his name, Laddie Lake, in 1862. Laddy died shortly after his arrival and his survivors moved on to Minneapolis. Another early settler was the Englishman George Townsend, who lived for a short time near what would today be Lever St. and 103rd Ave.

It was not until 1865 that Blaine's first permanent resident, Greenberry Chambers, settled on the old Townsend claim. Chambers was a former slave who moved north from Barren County, Kentucky, following the Civil War. In 1870, George Wall, Joseph Gagner, and soon others settled in the area and it began to grow.

Enroll in the Right Beauty School near Blaine MN

Blaine MN barber blow drying client's hair Selecting and enrolling in the ideal cosmetologist school is essential to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to organize all of the responses you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional cosmetologist in Blaine MN.