Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Eden Prairie MN

How to Find the Right Cosmetologist College near Eden Prairie Minnesota

nail technicians training at Eden Prairie MN beauty school Since you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Eden Prairie MN, the task begins to locate and enroll in the best school. It’s important that the school you pick not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be rather puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a little bit more regarding that in the next segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Eden Prairie residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical factor when evaluating potential schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it’s not automatically the ideal option. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing 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 types of training programs are available.

Defining Cosmetology

Eden Prairie MN makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful through the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic may be anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states require that you go through some kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Eden Prairie MN beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many names and work in a wide range of specializations including:

Hairdressers
Hairstylists
Beauticians
Barbers
Manicurists
Nail Technicians
Makeup Artists
Hair Coloring Specialists
Estheticians
Electrolysis Technicians

As already mentioned, in the majority of states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those performing more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Certificates and Degrees

Eden Prairie MN hairdresser cutting hair There are primarily two options available to obtain cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs typically require 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate’s degree commonly takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you wish to concentrate on just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also likely incorporate management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Eden Prairie MN business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you opt for, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s certified by the Minnesota Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the next section.

Online Beauty Courses

student attending cosmetology school online in Eden Prairie MN Online beauty classes are advantageous for Eden Prairie MN students who are working full time and have family responsibilities that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are many web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed through a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology programs are typically fast paced due to the fact that many courses are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same amount of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours away from your home or commuting to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s vital that the training program you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to obtain the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Beauty Schools

Questions to ask Eden Prairie MN beauty schools Below is a series of questions that you need to look into for any beauty training program you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Eden Prairie MN home, together with the expense of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must 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 every school before making a final selection.

Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make certain that the cosmetology school you enroll in 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 measure up to their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in 55344 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Eden Prairie MN businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every beauty school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Eden Prairie MN salon owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And last, check with the Minnesota school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? Many cosmetology 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 instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you select a school that focuses on 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 desire is to start a hair salon in Eden Prairie MN, 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 pursuing will not provide the training you need.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty school provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a cosmetology academy, it’s important that she or he receives aid in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help develope relationships with Eden Prairie MN employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Almost all beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an option before you find out what financial aid may be offered.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Eden Prairie MN?

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

Eden Prairie, Minnesota

Eden Prairie is an edge city 12 miles (19 km) southwest of downtown Minneapolis in Hennepin County, and the 12th-largest city in the State of Minnesota. It is the 7th-largest suburb in the Twin Cities, with a population of 60,797 at the 2010 census.[10] The city is located on the north bank of the Minnesota River, upstream from its confluence with the Mississippi River.

Eden Prairie is an affluent suburb, yet with a mixed income city model, known for acclaimed schools, home to 7,213 firms and related jobs,[11] and “renowned municipal and regional parks, conservation areas, trails, and recreational facilities that attract people of all ages and abilities.[12]

Walking trails include around its lakes, namely Purgatory Creek and Staring Lake,[13] and the Minnesota River Bluffs Regional Trail.[14] The city has more than 170 miles (270 km) of multi-use trails, 2,250 acres (9 km2) of parks, and 1,300 acres (5 km2) of open space. It is home to the headquarters of Digital River, SuperValu, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, SABIS, and MTS Systems Corporation. Regionally known for Eden Prairie Center, it is also the hub for SouthWest Transit, providing public transportation to three adjacent suburbs. KMSP and WFTC are also based in Eden Prairie.

Pick the Right Beauty Program near Eden Prairie MN

Eden Prairie MN barber blow drying client's hair Locating and enrolling in the ideal cosmetology college is essential to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the responses you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, 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 ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional cosmetologist in Eden Prairie MN.