How to Enroll In a Beauty College near Gilbertown Alabama
Since you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Gilbertown AL, the task begins to find and enroll in the best school. It’s imperative that the program you choose not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be rather 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 type of school. We’ll speak a little bit further concerning that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Gilbertown home. Tuition will additionally be an important aspect when assessing possible schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not automatically the right choice. There are various other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are available.
What is Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more beautiful through the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be almost anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states require that you go through some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Gilbertown AL beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gotten experience and a customer base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many names and are employed in a wide range of specialties including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As formerly stated, in most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for example 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 Degrees
There are basically two options 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 require 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 instructed in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you wish to specialize in 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 manage a salon or other Gilbertown AL business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you go with, it’s important to make sure that it’s certified by the Alabama Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the following segment.
Online Beauty Programs
Online cosmetology programs are convenient for Gilbertown AL students who are employed full time and have family obligations that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous online beauty school programs available that can be attended via a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are frequently fast paced since many programs are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you’re not spending numerous hours away from your home or travelling to and from classes. However, it’s essential that the training program you select can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Cosmetology Training Programs
Following is a series of questions that you should investigate for any cosmetology training school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Gilbertown AL home, together with the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt 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 must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have put together several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the School Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the cosmetology school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 36908 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Gilbertown AL employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every cosmetologist institute that you are seriously evaluating 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, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Gilbertown AL salon owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. Finally, contact the Alabama school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing 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 expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you select a school that specializes in 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 desire is to launch a hair salon in Gilbertown AL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you need.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Studying and mastering cosmetology skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Check 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 enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a beauty school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So search for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a cosmetology program, it’s imperative that she or he gets assistance in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with Gilbertown AL businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an alternative before you find out what financial help may be provided.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Gilbertown AL?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Gilbertown AL area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Gilbertown, Alabama
As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 187 people, 90 households, and 54 families residing in the town. The population density was 232.9 people per square mile (90.3/km²). There were 111 housing units at an average density of 138.3 per square mile (53.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 86.63% White, 10.70% Black or African American, 1.07% Native American, and 1.60% from two or more races.
There were 90 households out of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 35.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.69.
In the town, the population was spread out with 18.7% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 30.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.4 males.
Enroll in the Right Cosmetology School near Gilbertown AL
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal cosmetology program is essential 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 certain about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this article, 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 test, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Gilbertown AL.
Other Beautiful Locations in Alabama
Business Results 1 - 10 of 0
