How to Choose a Cosmetology College near Clarksburg Tennessee
Since you have decided to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Clarksburg TN, the process begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It’s imperative that the program you select not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be somewhat confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We’ll talk a bit more concerning that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Clarksburg home. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when assessing possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not necessarily the ideal choice. There are many other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning 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 offered.
Defining Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states require that you undergo some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Clarksburg TN beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a clientele, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go 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 previously mentioned, in most states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In certain states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Degrees
There are basically two pathways available to receive cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs generally take 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 wish to specialize in just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Clarksburg TN business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you choose, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s certified by the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only certify schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the upcoming section.
Online Cosmetology Programs
Online cosmetology classes are convenient for Clarksburg TN students who are working full-time and have family responsibilities that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are many online cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended via a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology programs are often fast paced since many programs are as short as six or eight months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are covering the same volume of material, but you’re not spending numerous hours outside of your home or commuting to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s important that the training program you select can provide internship training in area salons and parlors in order that you also get the hands-on training needed for a complete 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 be sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
What to Ask Beauty Training Courses
Below is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any beauty training program you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Clarksburg TN home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the cosmetology college 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in 38324 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Clarksburg TN businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any cosmetology school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Clarksburg TN salon owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And finally, check with the Tennessee school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your intention is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to open a hair salon in Clarksburg TN, 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 seeking will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty program furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s imperative that he or she gets support in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develope relationships with Clarksburg TN businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which salons and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? The majority of beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an alternative until you find out what financial help may be provided.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Clarksburg TN?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Clarksburg TN area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Clarksburg, Tennessee
Clarksburg is in southern Carroll County, along Tennessee State Route 22, which leads north 9 miles (14 km) to Huntingdon, the county seat, and south 6 miles (10 km) to Interstate 40 at Parkers Crossroads. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.0 square miles (5.2 km2), all land.[2]
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 285 people, 119 households, and 81 families residing in the town. The population density was 241.7 people per square mile (93.3/km²). There were 132 housing units at an average density of 111.9 per square mile (43.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.04% White, 2.81% African American, 1.05% Native American, 1.75% Asian, and 0.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.05% of the population.
There were 119 households out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.5% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.96.
Enroll in the Right Cosmetology Vocational School near Clarksburg TN
Picking and enrolling in the ideal beauty college is imperative to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the responses you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Clarksburg TN.
Other Beautiful Locations in Tennessee
Business Results 1 - 10 of 0
