Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Preston WA

How to Find the Right Beauty School near Preston Washington

nail technicians training at Preston WA beauty school Since you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Preston WA, the process begins to find and enroll in the right school. It’s essential that the program you select not only furnishes the necessary instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be somewhat unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a bit more concerning that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Preston residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical aspect when reviewing possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not automatically the ideal choice. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are available.

Defining Cosmetology

Preston WA makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more beautiful with the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic can be almost anything that improves 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 you are licensed, the work settings include not only Preston WA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a client base, open their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many professional names and work in a wide range of specializations including:

Hairdressers
Hairstylists
Beauticians
Barbers
Manicurists
Nail Technicians
Makeup Artists
Hair Coloring Specialists
Estheticians
Electrolysis Technicians

As previously mentioned, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Certificates and Degrees

Preston WA hairdresser cutting hair There are basically two avenues available to obtain 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 commonly takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in each of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you prefer to focus on just one area, for instance 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 Preston WA business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you go with, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s recognized by the Washington Board of Cosmetology. Many states only approve schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the benefits of accreditation for the school you decide on in the upcoming segment.

Online Cosmetology Programs

student attending cosmetology school online in Preston WA Online beauty programs are advantageous for Preston WA students who are working full-time and have family commitments that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed by means of a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are frequently fast paced since many courses are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a considerable amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same amount of material, but you’re not spending numerous hours away from your home or commuting back and forth from classes. However, it’s imperative that the training program you pick can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Cosmetology Schools

Questions to ask Preston WA beauty schools Below is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any beauty training school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Preston WA home, together with the cost of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want 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 preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have compiled several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the School Accredited? It’s necessary to make sure that the cosmetology school you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in 98050 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 Preston WA employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every cosmetology school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. 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 demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Preston WA salon owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And last, consult the Washington school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing 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 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 respected for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a hair salon in Preston WA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you need.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Check 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 developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty academy offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. So search for other schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a beauty program, it’s crucial that she or he gets support in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with Preston WA employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Available? Almost all beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an option before you learn what financial help may be offered.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Preston WA?

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

Preston, Washington

Preston is a historic mill town on the northeast edge of the large Tiger Mountain State Forest, along Interstate 90. Preston, elevation 430 ft (130 m), is located within commuting distance of Seattle and Bellevue.

The local Raging River feeds into the Snoqualmie River at Fall City, and offers recreational activities like fly-fishing and swimming. Eastside Fire & Rescue has an all-volunteer fire station, Station 74, staffed by residents of Preston and nearby communities, which serves the Preston area.

The Preston Community Club is a volunteer organization that was created to unite and protect the historic Preston community by organizing town events and acting as liaisons to local and state government. Several small stores have popped up as the area has grown, such as the Preston General store, Indoor Garden & Lighting, Coffee Too!, Subway, and the Preston Post Office. Several larger companies have taken advantage of Preston's accessibility, such as bottled water company Talking Rain, SanMar, and Platt.

Select the Right Cosmetologist School near Preston WA

Preston WA barber blow drying client's hair Selecting and enrolling in the right cosmetology 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 in order to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the information you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Preston WA.