Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Curtis WA

How to Enroll In a Beauty School near Curtis Washington

nail technicians training at Curtis WA beauty school Once you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Curtis WA, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It’s essential that the program you pick not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be a little bit 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 speak a bit further concerning that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Curtis residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when assessing prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not necessarily the best choice. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about 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 types of training programs are available.

What is Cosmetology

Curtis WA makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology 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 a number of cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states require that you take some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Curtis WA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a customer base, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known 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 working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exception. 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.

Cosmetology Certificates and Degrees

Curtis WA hairdresser cutting hair There are basically two avenues available to get cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs normally require 12 to 18 months to complete, 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 major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you prefer to specialize in just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also likely feature management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Curtis WA business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you decide on, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s approved by the Washington 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 discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the next section.

Online Beauty Programs

student attending cosmetology school online in Curtis WA Online beauty schools are advantageous for Curtis WA students who are working full-time and have family obligations that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous online cosmetology school programs offered that can be accessed via a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are typically fast paced since many courses are as brief 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 travelling to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s essential that the school you choose can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors to ensure that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

What to Ask Cosmetologist Training Courses

Questions to ask Curtis WA beauty schools Following is a series of questions that you should look into for any beauty training program you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Curtis WA home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first 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 initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make certain that the cosmetology training program you choose 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 measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in 98538 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Curtis WA employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each cosmetologist school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Curtis WA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. Finally, contact the Washington school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you enroll in a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your ambition 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 Curtis WA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you require.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a beauty academy furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for other schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a cosmetology school, it’s imperative that he or she receives support in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help develope relationships with Curtis WA businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and businesses they refer students to. In addition, 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 Assistance Offered? Many cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Talk to 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 accessible to students too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you learn what financial assistance may be provided.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Curtis WA?

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

Curtis, Washington

Enroll in the Right Cosmetologist Training Program near Curtis WA

Curtis WA barber blow drying client's hair Selecting and enrolling in the ideal cosmetologist program is important to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to start your career as a professional cosmetologist in Curtis WA.