How to Find the Right Cosmetology College near Yankton South Dakota
Now that you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Yankton SD, the task starts to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It’s imperative that the school you choose not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be rather confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We’ll speak a little bit more about that in the following segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Yankton home. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when reviewing possible schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not necessarily the best option. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are available.
What is Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human anatomy look more beautiful through the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states require that you undergo some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Yankton SD beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many names 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 already mentioned, in most states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Degrees
There are basically two avenues offered to receive cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs normally take 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree commonly takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you prefer to focus on just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely incorporate management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Yankton SD business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you opt for, it’s essential to make certain that it’s certified by the South Dakota Board of Cosmetology. Many states only approve schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the following section.
Online Cosmetologist Training
Online beauty schools are convenient for Yankton SD students who are employed full time and have family responsibilities that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be accessed via a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty programs are frequently fast paced because many courses are as short as six or eight months. This means that a considerable portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you’re not spending many hours outside of your home or driving to and from classes. However, it’s vital that the program you pick can provide internship training in local salons and parlors to ensure that you also receive the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So make sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is available in your area.
Questions to Ask Cosmetologist Training Courses
Following is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any beauty training school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Yankton SD residence, as well as the price of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the cosmetology college you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in 57078 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Yankton SD employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each beauty school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding 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. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Yankton SD salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And last, check with the South Dakota school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you choose 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 aspiration is to open a hair salon in Yankton SD, 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 poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a beauty school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a beauty program, it’s important that she or he gets assistance in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with Yankton SD businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of cosmetology schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 available to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you determine what financial help may be offered.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Yankton SD?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Yankton SD area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Yankton, South Dakota
Yankton is a city in, and the county seat of, Yankton County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 14,454 at the 2010 census. Yankton is the principal city of the Yankton Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes the entirety of Yankton County, and which had an estimated population of 22,702 as of July 1, 2015.[9] Yankton was the first capital of Dakota Territory. It is named for the Yankton tribe of Nakota (Sioux) Native Americans; Yankton is derived from the Nakota word I-hank-ton-wan ("the end village").[10]
Yankton is located on the Missouri River just downstream of the Gavins Point Dam and Lewis and Clark Lake and just upstream of the confluence with the James River. The United States National Park Service's headquarters for the Missouri National Recreational River are located in the city. The Human Services Center was established as a psychiatric hospital in 1882 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Yankton is commonly referred to as the "River City",[11] due to its proximity to the Missouri River and the importance that the river played in the city's settlement and development. Yankton has also earned the nickname, "Mother City of the Dakotas", due to the early important role it played in the creation and development of the Dakota Territory, which later became the 39th and 40th U.S. states of North and South Dakota.[12]
Choose the Right Cosmetologist Program near Yankton SD
Finding and enrolling in the ideal cosmetology school is imperative to receive the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. 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 responses you get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the academy and program you pick are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Yankton SD.
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