How to Choose a Cosmetology College near Helena Montana
Now that you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Helena MT, the process starts to search for and enroll in the right school. It’s important that the school you pick not only provides the proper training for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be rather puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a little 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 Helena home. Tuition will additionally be a critical factor when assessing prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not automatically the ideal choice. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are available.
What is Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more attractive with the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be almost anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states mandate that you take some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Helena MT beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gotten experience and a customer base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients either in their own residences or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many names and work in a wide range of specializations including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As already mentioned, in most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption. Only those conducting more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Degrees and Certificates
There are essentially two avenues available to obtain 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 typically call for 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate’s degree commonly 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 concentrate on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Helena MT business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you decide on, it’s essential to make certain that it’s recognized by the Montana Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the upcoming segment.
Online Beauty Courses
Online beauty schools are accommodating for Helena MT 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 beauty school programs available that can be attended through a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty programs are frequently fast paced due to the fact that many programs are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a considerable portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are covering the same volume of material, but you are not devoting many hours away from your home or driving back and forth from classes. However, it’s vital that the program you pick can provide internship training in local salons and parlors in order that you also receive the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to obtain the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.
What to Ask Cosmetologist Degree Programs
Below is a list of questions that you should look into for any cosmetology training program you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Helena MT residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like 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 even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the cosmetology school you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in 59601 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Helena MT 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 Great Reputation? Every cosmetologist institute that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing 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 Helena MT salon owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. Finally, consult the Montana school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand 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 goal is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your vision is to launch a hair salon in Helena MT, 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 Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques demands lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a beauty school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a beauty program, it’s imperative that she or he gets support in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with Helena MT employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which salons and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask 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 Offered? Many cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with 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 available to students also. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you determine what financial assistance may be available.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Helena MT?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Helena MT area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Helena, Montana
Helena was founded as a gold camp during the Montana gold rush, and was established in 1864. Over $3.6 billion of gold was extracted in the city limits over a duration of two decades, making it one of the wealthiest cities in the United States by the late nineteenth century. The concentration of wealth contributed to the city's prominent, elaborate Victorian architecture.
At the 2010 census Helena's population was 28,190, making it the fifth least populous state capital in the United States and the sixth most populous city in Montana.[4] It is the principal city of the Helena Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Lewis and Clark and Jefferson counties; its population is 77,414 according to the 2015 Census Estimate.[5]
The Helena area was long used by various indigenous peoples. Evidence from the McHaffie and Indian Creek sites on opposite sides of the Elkhorn Mountains southeast of the Helena Valley show that people of the Folsom culture lived in the area more than 10,000 years ago.[6] Before the introduction of the horse some 300 years ago, and since, other native peoples, including the Salish and the Blackfeet, utilized the area seasonally on their nomadic rounds.[7]
Choose the Right Cosmetology School near Helena MT
Locating and enrolling in the right cosmetologist college is important to receive the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Don’t forget to organize all of the responses you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Helena MT.
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