How to Select a Cosmetologist College near Valley Park Mississippi
Now that you have decided to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Valley Park MS, the task begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It’s imperative that the program you pick not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be a little bit puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll talk a bit more about that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Valley Park home. Tuition will likewise be a critical consideration when assessing prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not automatically the best option. There are several other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are available.
Definition of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human anatomy look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So of course 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 basically a cosmetic may be anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states mandate that you go through some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Valley Park MS beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gotten experience and a client base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by 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 formerly mentioned, in most states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Degrees and Certificates
There are essentially two options available to get 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 take 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree usually takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you prefer to focus on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also probably incorporate management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Valley Park MS business. More advanced degrees are not common, 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 important to make certain that it’s approved by the Mississippi Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the upcoming section.
Online Beauty Programs
Online cosmetology classes are advantageous for Valley Park MS students who are employed full-time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of online cosmetology school programs available that can be attended through a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are typically fast paced since many courses are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same amount of material, but you’re not spending many hours outside of your home or driving to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s imperative that the program you pick can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to gain the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So make sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is available in your area.
Questions to Ask Beauty Programs
Below is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any beauty training school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Valley Park MS home, as well as the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices 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 supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make certain 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in 39177 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 Valley Park MS businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each beauty school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Valley Park MS salon owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And finally, consult the Mississippi school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your ambition 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 start a hair salon in Valley Park MS, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining cosmetology skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty program furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So try to find alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s crucial that she or he gets help in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with Valley Park MS employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which salons and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might qualify 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 satisfies all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an option before you learn what financial help may be available.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Valley Park MS?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Valley Park MS area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Valley Park, Mississippi
A movie set resembling a rural radio station was constructed west of Valley Park in order to film a scene for the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000). In the movie, the "Soggy Bottom Boys" recorded Man of Constant Sorrow at radio station "WEZY". Only the mast tower remains at this location: 32°38′56″N 90°56′22″W / 32.648775°N 90.939418°W / 32.648775; -90.939418.[3]
Enroll in the Right Beauty College near Valley Park MS
Finding and enrolling in the ideal beauty school is essential to obtain the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the responses you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your career as a professional cosmetologist in Valley Park MS.
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