Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Oakland RI

How to Select a Cosmetologist School near Oakland Rhode Island

nail technicians training at Oakland RI beauty schoolOnce you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Oakland RI, the task begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It’s important that the program you select not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be rather unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll talk a bit more concerning that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Oakland home. Tuition will additionally be an important consideration when reviewing potential schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not necessarily the best choice. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of training programs are offered.

What is Cosmetology

Oakland RI makeup ar4tist applying makeupCosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more beautiful through the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic may be anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order 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 Oakland RI beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues 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 customers either in their own residences or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles 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 practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption. Only those conducting more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Certificates and Degrees

Oakland RI hairdresser cutting hairThere 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 work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs generally call for 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 trained in each of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you want to focus on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also probably feature management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Oakland RI business. Higher degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you decide on, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s certified by the Rhode Island Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, for instance 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 Courses

student attending cosmetology school online in Oakland RIOnline beauty schools are advantageous for Oakland RI students who are working full time and have family commitments that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended through a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are frequently fast paced given that many programs are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a substantial amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same volume of material, but you are not spending many hours outside of your home or travelling back and forth from classes. However, it’s imperative that the training program you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to acquire the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetologist Degree Programs

Questions to ask Oakland RI beauty schoolsBelow is a series of questions that you will want to research for any cosmetologist training school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Oakland RI residence, together with the price of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly 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. Below we have compiled some of those additional 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 enroll in 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in 02858 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Oakland RI employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Every cosmetology institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. 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, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Oakland RI salon owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the Rhode Island school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you decide on 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 well regarded for that program. If your desire is to start a hair salon in Oakland RI, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you require.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Studying and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty classes 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 rather relies heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. So search for alternate schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from a cosmetology academy, it’s crucial that he or she gets support in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with Oakland RI employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  Most beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and find out 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 accessible to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you find out what financial help may be provided.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Oakland RI?

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

Oakland Historic District

Choose the Right Cosmetologist School near Oakland RI

Oakland RI barber blow drying client's hairFinding and enrolling in the ideal beauty program is essential to get the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and address 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. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Oakland RI.

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