How to Select a Cosmetology School near Antlers Oklahoma
Since you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Antlers OK, the process starts to find and enroll in the ideal school. It’s important that the program you pick not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may be somewhat unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll talk a bit more about that in the following segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Antlers residence. Tuition will additionally be an important aspect when evaluating prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not always the right option. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are offered.
Definition of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human anatomy look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be 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 form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Antlers OK beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gotten experience and a customer base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s house, 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 the majority of states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Degrees
There are essentially two options offered to get cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually take 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree ordinarily 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 wish to focus on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also probably incorporate management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Antlers OK business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you opt for, it’s important to make certain that it’s certified by the Oklahoma Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only approve schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the upcoming section.
Online Beauty Courses
Online beauty classes are accommodating for Antlers OK 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 offered that can be attended via a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty programs are typically fast paced since many programs are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a large portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you’re not spending many hours away from your home or driving to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s imperative that the program you select can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult 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 program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.
Questions to Ask Beauty Training Programs
Following is a list of questions that you should investigate for any cosmetologist training school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Antlers OK residence, together with the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue 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 must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the cosmetology college you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified 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 ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 74523 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Antlers OK employers 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? Every beauty school 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 employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Antlers OK salon owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And last, contact the Oklahoma school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad 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 essential that you enroll in a school that focuses on 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 well regarded for that program. If your dream is to launch a hair salon in Antlers OK, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Learning and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology lessons 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 little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. Therefore 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 important that he or she gets help in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with Antlers OK employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might 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 each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an option until you determine what financial help may be offered.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Antlers OK?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Antlers OK area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Antlers, Oklahoma
Antlers is a city in and the county seat of Pushmataha County, Oklahoma, United States.[3] The population was 2,453 at the 2010 census, a 3.9 percent decline from 2,552 in 2000.[4] The town was named for a kind of tree that becomes festooned with antlers shed by deer, and is taken as a sign of the location of a spring frequented by deer.[5]
Evidence exists of prehistoric occupation and activity within the city limits of present-day Antlers. Arrowheads are found periodically at sites throughout the town. Most of the prehistoric sites are atop hills, which the inhabitants could use for defensive purposes and found the most healthful.
A Mississippian culture settlement developed at Spiro Mounds, which was active from the mid-9th into the 15th century. This is the westernmost site of the culture and it is "one of the most important archeological discoveries in North America."[6] The 80-acre site is preserved today as Oklahoma's only state archeological park.[6]
Choose the Right Beauty Program near Antlers OK
Selecting and enrolling in the right cosmetology program is imperative to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Don’t forget to compile all of the information you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the academy and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your career as a professional cosmetologist in Antlers OK.
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