How to Pick a Cosmetology College near Saint Elmo Alabama
Now that you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Saint Elmo AL, the process starts to find and enroll in the ideal school. It’s essential that the school you pick not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be rather unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll speak a little bit more regarding that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Saint Elmo residence. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when evaluating potential schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not always the ideal choice. There are several other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are offered.
Definition of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human anatomy look more beautiful through the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are described 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. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states require that you take some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Saint Elmo AL beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gotten experience and a customer base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing customers either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles and work in a wide variety of specializations including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As already mentioned, in most states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those offering more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Certificates and Degrees
There are basically two options offered to obtain cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually 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 trained in all of the main 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 probably feature management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Saint Elmo AL business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you decide on, it’s important to make sure that it’s certified by the Alabama Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the next section.
Online Cosmetology Training
Online cosmetology programs are advantageous for Saint Elmo AL students who are working full time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many web-based beauty school programs offered that can be accessed through a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology programs are often fast paced since many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a substantial portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are covering the same volume of material, but you are not spending many hours outside of your home or commuting back and forth from classes. However, it’s imperative that the training program you pick can provide internship training in area 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 difficult to acquire the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So make sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is available in your area.
Questions to Ask Cosmetology Programs
Following is a series of questions that you need to look into for any cosmetologist training program you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Saint Elmo AL residence, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must 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 selection.
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 recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in 36568 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Saint Elmo AL businesses 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 beauty school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials 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 sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Saint Elmo AL salon owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. Finally, contact the Alabama school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? 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 commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your intention 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 aspiration is to open a hair salon in Saint Elmo AL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live 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 beauty courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty school provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for acquiring your skills. So search for alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a beauty program, it’s essential that he or she gets help in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help develope relationships with Saint Elmo AL employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which salons and organizations they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Consult with 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 accessible to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you determine what financial aid may be available.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Saint Elmo AL?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Saint Elmo AL area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
St. Elmo's fire
St. Elmo's fire (also St. Elmo's light[1][2]) is a weather phenomenon in which luminous plasma is created by a coronal discharge from a sharp or pointed object in a strong electric field in the atmosphere (such as those generated by thunderstorms or created by a volcanic eruption).
St. Elmo's fire is named after St. Erasmus of Formia (also called St. Elmo, one of the two Italian names for St. Erasmus, the other being St. Erasmo), the patron saint of sailors. The phenomenon sometimes appeared on ships at sea during thunderstorms and was regarded by sailors with religious awe for its glowing ball of light, accounting for the name.[3] Sailors may have considered St. Elmo's fire as a good omen (as a sign of the presence of their patron saint).[4]
St. Elmo's fire is a bright blue or violet glow, appearing like fire in some circumstances, from tall, sharply pointed structures such as lightning rods, masts, spires and chimneys, and on aircraft wings or nose cones. St. Elmo's fire can also appear on leaves and grass, and even at the tips of cattle horns.[5] Often accompanying the glow is a distinct hissing or buzzing sound. It is sometimes confused with ball lightning.
Select the Right Cosmetologist College near Saint Elmo AL
Picking and enrolling in the ideal beauty program is essential to get the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional cosmetologist in Saint Elmo AL.
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