Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Edgemoor SC

How to Find the Right Cosmetologist School near Edgemoor South Carolina

nail technicians training at Edgemoor SC beauty school Since you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Edgemoor SC, the process begins to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It’s essential that the school you pick not only furnishes the proper instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you may be a little bit confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a bit more regarding that in the upcoming segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Edgemoor home. Tuition will likewise be a critical factor when reviewing possible schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not always the right option. There are various other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about 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 courses are offered.

Defining Cosmetology

Edgemoor SC makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human anatomy look more attractive with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be almost 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 form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Edgemoor SC 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 start servicing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many professional 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 already mentioned, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those performing more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Certificates and Degrees

Edgemoor SC hairdresser cutting hair There are essentially two options offered to receive 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 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 trained in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you wish to specialize in just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also likely include management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Edgemoor SC business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you decide on, it’s essential to make sure that it’s recognized by the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only certify schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you decide on in the upcoming segment.

Online Cosmetologist Classes

student attending cosmetology school online in Edgemoor SC Online cosmetology classes are advantageous for Edgemoor SC students who are working full-time and have family responsibilities that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended through a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty schools are frequently fast paced since many programs are as short as six or eight months. This means that a large portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you’re not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or travelling to and from classes. However, it’s important that the school you select can provide internship training in area salons and parlors in order that you also get the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetology Training Courses

Questions to ask Edgemoor SC beauty schools Following is a series of questions that you need to research for any cosmetology training program you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Edgemoor SC home, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely 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 narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the School Accredited? It’s necessary 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 agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 29712 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Edgemoor SC businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each cosmetologist college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Edgemoor SC salon owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the South Carolina school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your objective 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 vision is to open a hair salon in Edgemoor SC, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.

Is Any Live Training Provided? Studying and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty classes you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a cosmetology academy, it’s imperative that he or she receives support in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help develope relationships with Edgemoor SC businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Many 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 learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an option until you find out what financial assistance may be offered.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Edgemoor SC?

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

Edgemoor and Manetta Railway

Choose the Right Cosmetologist School near Edgemoor SC

Edgemoor SC barber blow drying client's hair Picking and enrolling in the right cosmetology school is imperative to get the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Edgemoor SC.