How to Pick a Cosmetology College near Gowen Oklahoma
Now that you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Gowen OK, the process starts to locate and enroll in the right school. It’s essential that the school you pick not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may be somewhat 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 speak a bit further concerning that in the upcoming segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Gowen residence. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when assessing potential schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not automatically the ideal option. There are many other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of training programs are offered.
Defining Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human anatomy look more attractive through the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic can be anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states require that you go through some kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Gowen OK beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gotten experience and a client base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many professional names and work in a wide range of specialties including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As already stated, in most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those offering more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Degrees and Certificates
There are basically two avenues 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 usually require 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 prefer to concentrate 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 operate a parlor or other Gowen OK business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you go with, it’s essential to make sure that it’s certified by the Oklahoma Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only approve schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the upcoming section.
Online Beauty Training
Online cosmetology schools are convenient for Gowen OK students who are working full time and have family commitments that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based beauty school programs available that can be accessed by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty schools are typically fast paced due to the fact that many courses are as short as six or eight months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you’re not spending numerous hours outside of your home or travelling back and forth 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 get the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is available in your area.
Questions to Ask Beauty Programs
Following is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any cosmetology training school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Gowen OK home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly 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 options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s necessary to make sure that the cosmetology training program you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged 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 guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in 74545 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Gowen OK 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 Great Reputation? Any beauty college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. 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, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Gowen OK salon owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to propose others that you had not considered. Finally, contact the Oklahoma school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your intention is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to open a hair salon in Gowen OK, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty academy provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So look for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s essential that she or he gets help in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with Gowen OK employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which salons and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most 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 offered to students as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an alternative until you learn what financial assistance may be provided.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Gowen OK?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Gowen OK area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Big Eight Conference Baseball Tournament
The Big Eight Conference Baseball Tournament was the conference baseball championship of the NCAA Division I Big Eight Conference from 1976 through 1996. The winner of the tournament received an automatic berth to the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship. Throughout the tournament's history, the event was held in Oklahoma City, OK. Oklahoma State won seventeen titles, including the final sixteen. Oklahoma and Missouri won two titles each.
Pick the Right Cosmetology Program near Gowen OK
Finding and enrolling in the right cosmetologist program is important to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the responses you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the academy and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your career as a professional cosmetologist in Gowen OK.
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