How to Select a Cosmetology School near Wellton Arizona
Since you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Wellton AZ, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It’s important that the school you select not only furnishes the appropriate education for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you might be rather confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a bit more about that in the following section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Wellton home. Tuition will also be an important factor when reviewing potential schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not always the ideal option. There are several other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are available.
Defining Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states mandate that you undergo some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Wellton AZ beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a customer base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing customers either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have 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 previously mentioned, in most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those performing more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Degrees and Certificates
There are basically two pathways available to obtain cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue 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 each of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you want to specialize in just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely feature management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Wellton AZ business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you opt for, it’s important to make certain that it’s approved by the Arizona Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the following section.
Online Cosmetology Programs
Online cosmetology schools are accommodating for Wellton AZ students who are working full time and have family obligations that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed through a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are typically fast paced given that many courses are as short as six or eight months. This means that a substantial amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you’re not devoting numerous hours away from your home or driving to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s important that the training program you select can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to obtain the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.
What to Ask Beauty Trade Schools
Below is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any cosmetologist training program you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Wellton AZ home, as well as the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably 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 need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the cosmetology training program you choose 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 comply with their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in 85356 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Wellton AZ employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each cosmetology college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews together with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Wellton AZ salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the Arizona school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating 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 commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your ambition is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to start a hair salon in Wellton AZ, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore look for other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a cosmetology school, it’s essential that he or she receives support in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help develope relationships with Wellton AZ employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have wide 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. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and learn 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 offered to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an option until you determine what financial help may be provided.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Wellton AZ?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Wellton AZ area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Wellton, Arizona
It is located along Interstate 8 and the former route of U.S. Route 80. It is a junction on the Union Pacific Railroad (formerly Southern Pacific), where the lines to Phoenix and to Maricopa diverge. Amtrak's Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle pass through the town without stopping. The town was named after the wells providing water for the railroad.[1]
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,829 people, 700 households, and 552 families residing in the town. The population density was 727.3 people per square mile (281.3/km²). There were 1,144 housing units at an average density of 454.9 per square mile (176.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 68.23% White, 2.02% Black or African American, 1.37% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 25.42% from other races, and 2.52% from two or more races. 40.73% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 700 households out of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.4% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.1% were non-families. 17.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 2.95.
Pick the Right Cosmetologist School near Wellton AZ
Choosing and enrolling in the right cosmetology school is essential to receive the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the academy and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, 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 examination, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Wellton AZ.
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