Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Folsom CA

How to Find the Right Beauty College near Folsom California

nail technicians training at Folsom CA beauty school Now that you have decided to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Folsom CA, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It’s imperative that the school you pick not only furnishes the appropriate education for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be somewhat puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll speak a little bit further about that in the upcoming segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Folsom home. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when reviewing potential schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not necessarily the ideal option. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding 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 kinds of programs are offered.

What is Cosmetology

Folsom CA makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human anatomy look more beautiful with the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states mandate that you take some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Folsom CA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many names and are employed in a wide range of specializations including:

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

As already mentioned, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees

Folsom CA hairdresser cutting hair There are basically two pathways available to obtain cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs typically 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 offered if you prefer to concentrate on just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also likely include management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Folsom CA business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you decide on, it’s essential to make certain that it’s recognized by the California Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the following segment.

Online Cosmetologist Schools

student attending cosmetology school online in Folsom CA Online beauty classes are convenient for Folsom CA students who are working full time and have family commitments that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based beauty school programs available that can be accessed by means of a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are typically fast paced since many programs 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 volume of material, but you’re not spending many hours outside of your home or travelling to and from classes. However, it’s important that the training program you pick can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to acquire the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Beauty Programs

Questions to ask Folsom CA beauty schools Below is a list of questions that you need to research for any cosmetologist training program you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Folsom CA residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the School Accredited? It’s necessary to make sure that the cosmetology school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in 95630 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Folsom CA employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each beauty college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Folsom CA salon owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, 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, contact the California school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you choose a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your goal 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 dream is to start a hair salon in Folsom CA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty academy offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a beauty program, it’s imperative that she or he gets assistance in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with Folsom CA businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire 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 extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Many cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify 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 meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an option before you find out what financial assistance may be offered.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Folsom CA?

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

Folsom, California

Folsom is named for Joseph Libbey Folsom who purchased Rancho Rio de los Americanos from the heirs of San Francisco merchant William Alexander Leidesdorff, and laid out the town called Granite City, mostly occupied by gold miners seeking their fortune in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Though few amassed a great deal of wealth, the city prospered due to Joseph Folsom's lobbying to get a railway to connect the town with Sacramento. Joseph died in 1855, and Granite City was later renamed Folsom in his honor. The railway was abandoned in the 1980s[8] but opened up as the terminus of the Gold Line of Sacramento Regional Transit District's light rail service in 2005. A few former gold-rush era towns are located within the city limits of Folsom, including Prairie City, Salmon Falls, and Mormon Island (though these towns no longer exist).

The establishment of Folsom Prison came in 1880, when the Livermore family made an agreement with the state to donate land for the prison in exchange for prison labor. They planned to build a hydro-electric dam from the American River for a sawmill. Though the sawmill did not work out, the Livermores soon realized that the natural force of running water could provide enough power to transmit to Sacramento, and the Folsom Powerhouse, now a National Historic Landmark, was opened. At the time it was opened, it had the longest overhead run of electricity (22 miles) in the country. The powerhouse operated until 1952.

Folsom Dam was built in 1956, providing much-needed flood control and water rights for the Sacramento Valley. The creation of this dam also created one of the most popular lakes in Northern California, Folsom Lake. The dam is located on the southwest corner of the lake. The lake is an estimated 4.8 miles (7.7 km) from Granite Bay to the most southern point of Folsom Lake.

Select the Right Cosmetologist Training Program near Folsom CA

Folsom CA barber blow drying client's hair Selecting and enrolling in the right beauty program is essential to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Don’t forget to collect all of the responses you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, 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 exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Folsom CA.