How to Select a Cosmetology College near Pinnacle North Carolina
Once you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Pinnacle NC, the process begins to find and enroll in the best school. It’s important that the school you choose not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be rather confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll speak a bit more about that in the upcoming segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Pinnacle home. Tuition will likewise be an important factor 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 option. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of training programs are available.
What is Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human anatomy look more beautiful with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you go through some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Pinnacle NC beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a customer base, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing customers either in their own residences or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known 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 stated, in most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Certificates and Degrees
There are essentially two avenues offered to obtain cosmetology training and a credential after 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 complete, while an Associate’s degree usually 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 offered if you wish to concentrate on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also probably include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Pinnacle NC business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you go with, it’s important to make certain that it’s recognized by the North Carolina Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize 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 next section.
Online Cosmetology Schools
Online cosmetology schools are accommodating for Pinnacle NC students who are employed full time and have family obligations that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based beauty school programs offered that can be attended through a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty programs are typically fast paced because many programs are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are dealing with 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 important that the school you select 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 difficult to obtain the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Cosmetology Programs
Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any beauty training program you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Pinnacle NC home, as well as the cost of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have compiled several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the cosmetology college you choose 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 meet their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in 27043 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Pinnacle NC businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any cosmetologist institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify 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 organizations. If you have any contacts with Pinnacle NC salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And finally, contact the North Carolina school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you pick a school that specializes in 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 dream is to open a hair salon in Pinnacle NC, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty academy provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. So look for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s essential that she or he gets assistance in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with Pinnacle NC employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Speak 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 offered to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an option before you determine what financial help may be offered.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Pinnacle NC?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Pinnacle NC area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Pinnacle, North Carolina
Pinnacle is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in southwestern Stokes County, North Carolina, United States, approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) SSE of the town of Pilot Mountain, between Pilot Mountain State Park and Hanging Rock State Park. As of March 2015, the exact population is 855.[citation needed]
The town was originally known as Culler, named for Emanuel W. Culler who owned the land on which a railroad station was built and served as the towns first mayor. The present name was adopted in 1894. Pinnacle was incorporated in 1901 but the charter was repealed in 1903.[1]
Some 20 miles (32 km) east of Pinnacle on State Route 1186 is the Rock House,[2] the remains of a massive four-story stone structure with three-foot-thick walls built in 1770 by Capt. John 'Jack' Martin, one of the first two settlers of Stokes County, on a 8,000-acre (32 km2) grant from the Crown. Martin served in the North Carolina House of Representatives and as presiding judge of Stoke County court for over 30 years.[3] The house was built by slaves using local flint stones, with a fireplace large enough to roast an ox and stuccoed white plaster on the exterior, and was used as a blockhouse by early settlers.[4] Colonel Martin, who was born in Essex County, Virginia and became a fierce fighter for the Continental cause during the Revolutionary War.[5] Targeted by Tories during and following the War, when he was badly wounded[6] while spying for American forces on the eve of the Battle of Kings Mountain,[7] Martin was the brother of militia General Joseph Martin, namesake of Martinsville, Virginia.[8] Col. Jack Martin saw action at the battles of Chestnut Ridge, Surrey County, Colsons, Old Fields, Alamance and Guilford Courthouse. The Rock House served as the mustering ground for colonial forces during the Revolutionary War as well as the War of 1812.[9] One of the oldest structures in Stokes County and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, the house burned in 1890, and only the great rock walls remain. Rock House was acquired in 1975 by the Stokes County Historical Society,[10] which has struggled recently to protect the ruins from vandals.[11]
Select the Right Cosmetology School near Pinnacle NC
Finding and enrolling in the right cosmetology college is imperative to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional 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 selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your career as a professional cosmetologist in Pinnacle NC.
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