How to Pick a Beauty School near Mexia Texas
Now that you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Mexia TX, the process begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It’s essential that the school you select not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be somewhat unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We’ll talk a bit further regarding that in the upcoming section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Mexia residence. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when evaluating prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not always the right option. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are available.
What is Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more beautiful with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be almost anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states mandate that you go through some kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Mexia TX beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gotten experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many titles 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 earlier mentioned, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In certain states there is an exception. Only those offering more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Degrees and Certificates
There are essentially two pathways offered to obtain cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs generally take 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate’s degree ordinarily takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you wish to focus on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also probably include management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Mexia TX 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 program you choose, it’s essential to make certain that it’s approved by the Texas Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the upcoming segment.
Online Cosmetologist Schools
Online cosmetology programs are advantageous for Mexia TX students who are employed full-time and have family commitments that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are many online cosmetology school programs available that can be attended via a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are typically fast paced since many programs are as short as six or eight months. This means that a substantial portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are covering the same volume of material, but you are not spending numerous hours away from your home or commuting back and forth from classes. However, it’s imperative that the program you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is available in your area.
What to Ask Beauty Programs
Following is a series of questions that you need to research for any cosmetology training school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Mexia TX home, together with the expense of tuition, will probably 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 reduced your school choices based on those preliminary 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 additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the cosmetology college you select 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 measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in 76667 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Mexia TX employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any beauty college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Mexia TX salon owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. Finally, check with the Texas school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your objective 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 Mexia TX, 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 Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore search for other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s important that she or he gets help in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with Mexia TX businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which salons and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Most beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an option before you find out what financial assistance may be available.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Mexia TX?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Mexia TX area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Mexia, Texas
Named after General José Antonio Mexía, a Hispanic hero for the Republic of Texas Army during the Texas Revolution, the town was founded near his estate. Nearby attractions include Fort Parker Historical recreation, the Confederate Reunion grounds, and Mexia State Supported Living Center (formerly Mexia State School), which began as a prisoner of war camp for members of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel's Afrika Korps during World War II.
As of the census[1] of 2008, there were 6,552 people, 2,427 households, and 1,660 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,273.9 people per square mile (492.0/km²). There were 2,750 housing units at an average density of 533.8 per square mile (206.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 55.90% White, 31.68% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 10.67% from other races, and 1.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.90% of the population.
There were 2,427 households out of which 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% were married couples living together, 19.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were non-families. 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.21.
Find the Right Cosmetologist Vocational School near Mexia TX
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal beauty college is imperative to receive the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the responses you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Mexia TX.
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