How to Choose a Cosmetology College near Florence Mississippi
Now that you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Florence MS, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It’s important that the school you select not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be somewhat confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll talk a bit further concerning that in the next segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Florence home. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when reviewing possible schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it’s not always the right choice. There are various other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little 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 beautiful with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states mandate that you undergo some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Florence MS beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gotten experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many titles 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 earlier stated, in most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those offering more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Degrees and Certificates
There are basically two avenues offered to obtain 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 require 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree ordinarily 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 offered if you prefer to specialize in just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Florence MS business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you go with, it’s essential to make sure that it’s recognized by the Mississippi Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only approve schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the benefits of accreditation for the school you decide on in the upcoming section.
Online Cosmetology Courses
Online cosmetology classes are accommodating for Florence MS students who are working 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 via a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty schools are typically fast paced since many programs are as brief as six or eight 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’re not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or commuting back and forth from classes. However, it’s imperative that the school you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors in order that you also get the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills needed 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 provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Cosmetologist Training Classes
Below is a list of questions that you need to look into for any cosmetology training school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Florence MS residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue 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 even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have collected several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the cosmetology training program you enroll in 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in 39073 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Florence MS businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any cosmetology school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Florence MS salon owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. Finally, consult the Mississippi school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you enroll in 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 well regarded for that program. If your vision is to launch a hair salon in Florence MS, then you want 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 require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty academy offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a beauty program, it’s imperative that she or he gets aid in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help develope relationships with Florence MS employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which salons and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, 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 regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. 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 offered to students as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an option until you find out what financial aid may be available.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Florence MS?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Florence MS area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Florence, Mississippi
The United States Census Bureau, in 2010 showed a population of 4141 a 72.8% growth over the 2000 Census. Florence has nearly doubled in size in all aspects.[citation needed] The current city limits have grown northward towards Richland, which is the same as Richland-Florence. Florence was the 12th fastest growing city in Mississippi in the 2010 Census. The city has grown both eastward and westward and will continue to expand towards the Pearl River, eventually stopping at the Pearl River, which separates Rankin County from Hinds County.
The racial makeup of the town was 85.3% White, 13.1% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.1% of the population.[3]
There were 1,558 households out of which 42.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.8% were non-families. 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals living alone and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.11.
Choose the Right Cosmetologist School near Florence MS
Finding and enrolling in the ideal cosmetology program is imperative to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Don’t forget to collect all of the information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Florence MS.
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