Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Alamance NC

How to Enroll In a Cosmetology College near Alamance North Carolina

nail technicians training at Alamance NC beauty school Now that you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Alamance NC, the process starts to find and enroll in the ideal school. It’s essential that the program you select not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be rather puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We’ll talk a little bit further about that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Alamance residence. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when assessing possible schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it’s not necessarily the right choice. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of training programs are available.

What is Cosmetology

Alamance NC makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human anatomy look more beautiful with the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of 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 enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states require that you take some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Alamance NC beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing customers either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many names and are employed in a wide variety of specialties including:

Hairdressers
Hairstylists
Beauticians
Barbers
Manicurists
Nail Technicians
Makeup Artists
Hair Coloring Specialists
Estheticians
Electrolysis Technicians

As previously mentioned, in most states working 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. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Degrees

Alamance NC hairdresser cutting hair There are essentially two pathways available to obtain cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs typically take 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 main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you want 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 manage a salon or other Alamance NC business. Higher degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you opt for, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s certified by the North Carolina Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the benefits of accreditation for the school you decide on in the next segment.

Online Cosmetologist Courses

student attending cosmetology school online in Alamance NC Online cosmetology schools are advantageous for Alamance NC students who are working full time and have family commitments that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be accessed by means of a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty programs are typically fast paced because many programs are as brief 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 volume of material, but you are not spending many hours outside of your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it’s important that the school you choose can provide internship training in area 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 difficult to obtain the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Cosmetology Training Programs

Questions to ask Alamance NC beauty schools Following is a series of questions that you need to look into for any beauty training program you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Alamance NC residence, in addition to 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 even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the School 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 recognized 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 assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in 27201 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Alamance NC employers 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 cosmetologist college 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 testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Alamance NC salon owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the North Carolina school licensing authority to see 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 expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically 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 intention is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to start a hair salon in Alamance NC, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.

Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and refining cosmetology skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a cosmetology program, it’s crucial that she or he receives support in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with Alamance NC businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which salons and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? The majority of beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an alternative before you determine what financial aid may be available.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Alamance NC?

If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Alamance NC area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.

Alamance County, North Carolina

Alamance County /ˈæləmæns/ ( listen)[2] is a county in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 151,131.[3] Its county seat is Graham.[4] Formed in 1849 from Orange County to the east, Alamance County has been the site of significant historical events, textile manufacturing, and agriculture.

Alamance County comprises the Burlington Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Greensboro-Winston-Salem-High Point Combined Statistical Area. The 2012 estimated population of the metropolitan area was 153,920.[3]

Before being formed as a county, the region had at least one known small Southeastern tribe of Native American in the 18th century, the Sissipahaw, who lived in the area bounded by modern Saxapahaw, the area known as the Hawfields, and the Haw River.[5][6] European settlers entered the region in the late 17th century chiefly following Native American trading paths, and set up their farms in what they called the "Haw Old Fields", fertile ground previously tilled by the Sissipahaw. The paths later became the basis of the railroad and interstate highway routes.[7]

Find the Right Beauty College near Alamance NC

Alamance NC barber blow drying client's hair Locating and enrolling in the ideal beauty college is important to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to organize all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Alamance NC.