How to Find the Right Cosmetology College near Oakes North Dakota
Now that you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Oakes ND, the process starts to locate and enroll in the best school. It’s important that the program you choose not only provides the appropriate education for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be rather unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a little bit further regarding that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Oakes residence. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when reviewing prospective schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not necessarily the right option. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about 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 types of programs are available.
Defining Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more beautiful with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states require that you undergo some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Oakes ND beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a clientele, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many titles 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 earlier stated, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those performing more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Degrees and Certificates
There are essentially two avenues available to obtain cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs generally require 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 instructed in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you want to focus on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also likely feature management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Oakes ND business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you decide on, it’s essential to make sure that it’s approved by the North Dakota Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the following segment.
Online Cosmetology Schools
Online cosmetology schools are advantageous for Oakes ND students who are employed full time and have family commitments that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous online cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed via a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are frequently fast paced since many programs 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 covering the same amount of material, but you are not spending numerous hours away from your home or travelling back and forth from classes. However, it’s vital that the training program you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Cosmetologist Schools
Below is a series of questions that you should look into for any cosmetologist training school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Oakes ND residence, together with the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the cosmetology school you select 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 comply with their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in 58474 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Oakes ND employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every cosmetology school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Oakes ND salon owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. Finally, consult the North Dakota 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 Focus? A number of 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 frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you choose a school that focuses on 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 desire is to open a hair salon in Oakes ND, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology classes 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 program provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a beauty program, it’s important that he or she gets aid in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develope relationships with Oakes ND businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which salons and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to 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 also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an option until you find out what financial aid may be provided.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Oakes ND?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Oakes ND area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Oakes, North Dakota
Oakes is located in southeastern North Dakota at 46°8′14″N 98°5′23″W / 46.13722°N 98.08972°W / 46.13722; -98.08972 (46.137249, -98.089686).[9] It sits about one mile east of the James river and is the meeting place of several rail lines. Because of its rail access, Oakes is home to several major grain elevators that handle large volumes of grain, primarily corn.
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 1,856 people, 807 households, and 476 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,131.7 inhabitants per square mile (437.0/km2). There were 912 housing units at an average density of 556.1 per square mile (214.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.1% White, 0.5% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 1.1% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.8% of the population.
There were 807 households of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.2% were married couples living together, 4.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.0% were non-families. 36.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.89.
Pick the Right Cosmetology College near Oakes ND
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal cosmetology college is essential to get the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the responses you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the academy and program you decide on are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided 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 confident that you are ready to start your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Oakes ND.
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