How to Choose a Cosmetologist School near Mercer Missouri
Once you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Mercer MO, the task starts to locate and enroll in the right school. It’s imperative that the school you pick not only furnishes the proper instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be a little bit confused about the distinction 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 concerning that in the following segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Mercer home. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when evaluating prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not automatically the best choice. There are various other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are offered.
Definition of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human body look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So naturally 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 actually a cosmetic may be anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you go through some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Mercer MO beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a clientele, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients either in their own residences or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many professional names and are employed in a wide variety of specializations including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As formerly mentioned, in most states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few 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, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Degrees and Certificates
There are basically two pathways offered to get cosmetology training and a credential upon 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 instructed in each of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you wish to specialize in just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely incorporate management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Mercer MO business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you opt for, it’s essential to make sure that it’s approved by the Missouri Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only approve schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the benefits of accreditation for the school you decide on in the upcoming segment.
Online Beauty Training
Online cosmetology programs are accommodating for Mercer MO students who are employed full time and have family obligations that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous online beauty school programs offered that can be accessed via a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are frequently fast paced since many programs are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a large portion 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 commuting to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s vital that the school you choose can provide internship training in local salons and parlors to ensure that you also receive the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to acquire the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is available in your area.
Questions to Ask Cosmetologist Degree Programs
Following is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any cosmetologist training program you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Mercer MO residence, as well as 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 choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the cosmetology training program you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in 64661 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Mercer MO employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each beauty school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Mercer MO salon owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, check with the Missouri school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you enroll in a school that focuses on 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 respected for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a hair salon in Mercer MO, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. So look for other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s imperative that he or she gets assistance in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid develope relationships with Mercer MO employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which salons and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Most beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn 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 too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an option until you learn what financial help may be available.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Mercer MO?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Mercer MO area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Mercer, Missouri
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 318 people, 149 households, and 91 families residing in the city. The population density was 859.5 inhabitants per square mile (331.9/km2). There were 183 housing units at an average density of 494.6 per square mile (191.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.7% White, 0.3% Native American, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.6% of the population.
There were 149 households of which 25.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.9% were non-families. 38.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 25.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.81.
The median age in the city was 46.4 years. 23.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.6% were from 25 to 44; 29.2% were from 45 to 64; and 22.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 45.9% male and 54.1% female.
Select the Right Cosmetologist College near Mercer MO
Picking and enrolling in the right cosmetologist college is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to organize all of the information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the academy and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Mercer MO.
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