Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Cornelius NC

How to Find the Right Beauty College near Cornelius North Carolina

nail technicians training at Cornelius NC beauty school Since you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Cornelius NC, the task begins to find and enroll in the best school. It’s important that the school you pick not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be rather confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a little bit further regarding that in the following section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Cornelius residence. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when assessing potential schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not always the best option. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing 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 discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are available.

Defining Cosmetology

Cornelius NC makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human anatomy look more beautiful through the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but really 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, almost all states require that you take some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Cornelius NC beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a clientele, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing customers either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many professional 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 previously stated, in most states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption. Only those performing more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees and Certificates

Cornelius NC hairdresser cutting hair There are primarily two pathways available to obtain cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs normally call for 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 each of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you prefer to specialize in just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also likely incorporate management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Cornelius NC business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you choose, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s recognized by the North Carolina Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the next section.

Online Cosmetology Training

student attending cosmetology school online in Cornelius NC Online beauty programs are convenient for Cornelius NC students who are working full time and have family obligations that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based beauty school programs available that can be attended by means of a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty schools are frequently fast paced since many courses are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a substantial portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you’re not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or travelling to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s essential that the school you pick can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors in order that you also get the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Cosmetologist Programs

Questions to ask Cornelius NC beauty schools Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any beauty training program you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Cornelius NC residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to earn 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 preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the cosmetology college you choose 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 may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 28031 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Cornelius NC 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 Great Reputation? Each beauty college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Cornelius NC salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. Finally, check with the North Carolina school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you decide on 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 respected for that program. If your dream is to launch a hair salon in Cornelius NC, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty program furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So try to find alternate schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s crucial that he or she gets assistance in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with Cornelius NC employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected 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 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 accessible to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you determine what financial aid may be available.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Cornelius NC?

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

Cornelius, North Carolina

Cornelius is located along Lake Norman in northern Mecklenburg County. The town is approximately located at 35°28′44″N 80°53′04″W / 35.478954°N 80.884532°W / 35.478954; -80.884532 (35.478954, −80.884532).[5]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 12.1 square miles (31 km2), of which, 11.8 square miles (31 km2) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km2) of it (3.20%) is water. Cornelius is one of three towns in Mecklenburg county north of Charlotte. Along with its sister towns – Davidson and Huntersville – Cornelius serves as a suburb to Charlotte, NC.

As of 2011[update], there were 23,000 households, and 3,374 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,415.5 people per square mile (546.2/km2). There were 5,716 housing units at an average density of 676.0 per square mile (260.9/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 91.65% White, 5.62% African American, 0.21% Native American, 1.24% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.50% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.79% of the population.

Find the Right Beauty Program near Cornelius NC

Cornelius NC barber blow drying client's hair Locating and enrolling in the ideal cosmetology college is important to receive the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the responses you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Cornelius NC.