How to Select a Cosmetologist College near Kokomo Mississippi
Once you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Kokomo MS, the process starts to search for and enroll in the right school. It’s imperative that the school you choose 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 preliminary search, you might be rather confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We’ll speak a bit more concerning that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Kokomo residence. Tuition will additionally be an important aspect when assessing possible schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not always the ideal choice. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning 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
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more attractive through the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be almost 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 kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Kokomo MS beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing clients either in their own residences or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many professional names and work in a wide range of specialties including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As already mentioned, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exception. Only those offering more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Degrees
There are basically two pathways available to receive cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs generally 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 trained in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you prefer to specialize in just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also probably incorporate management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Kokomo MS business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you opt for, it’s essential to make sure that it’s approved by the Mississippi Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only approve schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the following section.
Online Beauty Schools
Online beauty programs are accommodating for Kokomo 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 beauty school programs available that can be attended via a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty programs are typically fast paced given that many programs 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 volume of material, but you’re not spending many hours away from your home or commuting back and forth from classes. However, it’s vital that the training program you pick can provide internship training in area 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 acquire the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So make sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.
What to Ask Beauty 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 already covered, the location of the school relative to your Kokomo MS home, together with the cost 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 additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have put together several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the cosmetology training program you select 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 getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in 39643 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Kokomo MS employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every cosmetologist institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Kokomo MS salon owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And finally, contact the Mississippi school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your intention 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 dream is to open a hair salon in Kokomo 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 seeking will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering cosmetology skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a beauty academy offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a beauty school, it’s important that he or she gets assistance in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help develope relationships with Kokomo MS businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering 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 verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Many cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn 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 as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an option until you determine what financial help may be available.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Kokomo MS?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Kokomo MS area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Charles Coleman (American football)
Charles Edward Coleman (born September 16, 1963) is a former American football tight end who played one season with the New York Giants of the National Football League. He played college football at Alcorn State University and attended West Marion High School in Foxworth, Mississippi.[1]
Select the Right Cosmetologist Vocational School near Kokomo MS
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal cosmetology program is important to receive the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you pick are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided 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 exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Kokomo MS.
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