How to Select a Cosmetologist School near Troy Missouri
Once you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Troy MO, the process starts to find and enroll in the right school. It’s important that the school you pick not only furnishes the proper instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be rather puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll talk a bit further concerning that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Troy residence. Tuition will also be a critical factor when evaluating prospective schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it’s not necessarily the ideal choice. There are various other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are available.
Definition of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more attractive with 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 term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states require that you go through some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Troy MO beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a customer base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many names 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 previously mentioned, in most states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Degrees
There are essentially two pathways offered to receive cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually call for 12 to 18 months to finish, 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 main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you wish to concentrate on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also probably include management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Troy MO business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you opt for, it’s important to make sure that it’s recognized by the Missouri Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the following segment.
Online Beauty Programs
Online cosmetology programs are advantageous for Troy MO students who are employed full-time and have family commitments that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many online cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended via a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty programs are typically fast paced because many courses are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a substantial amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are covering the same volume of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or travelling back and forth from classes. However, it’s vital that the program you select can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to gain the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is available in your area.
What to Ask Cosmetologist Training Courses
Following is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any cosmetologist training school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Troy MO residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the cosmetology school you pick 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in 63379 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Troy MO businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every beauty school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Troy MO salon owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And finally, consult the Missouri school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you decide on a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your goal 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 Troy MO, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty program provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. So look for other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a beauty program, it’s crucial that she or he receives support in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with Troy MO businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which salons and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an option before you find out what financial aid may be available.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Troy MO?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Troy MO area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Troy, Missouri
Troy was platted in 1819.[7] Some say the community was named after Troy, New York, while others believe the name is a transfer from Troy, Vermont.[8] An early variant name was Woods Fort.[9] A post office called Troy has been in operation since 1823.[10]
Troy is located at 38°58′30″N 90°58′38″W / 38.97500°N 90.97722°W / 38.97500; -90.97722 (38.974922, -90.977132).[12] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.34 square miles (19.01 km2), of which, 7.30 square miles (18.91 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) is water.[1]
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 10,542 people, 3,843 households, and 2,727 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,443.8 inhabitants per square mile (557.5/km2). There were 4,141 housing units at an average density of 567.3 per square mile (219.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.5% White, 3.1% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.0% of the population.
Select the Right Cosmetologist Vocational School near Troy MO
Picking and enrolling in the right beauty program is essential to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to consolidate all of the responses you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the academy and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions presented 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 test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Troy MO.
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