Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Shafter CA

How to Select a Cosmetology College near Shafter California

nail technicians training at Shafter CA beauty school Once you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Shafter CA, the task begins to find and enroll in the best school. It’s essential that the school you select not only provides the proper training for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. 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 essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a bit more about that in the following section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Shafter home. Tuition will likewise be a critical consideration when evaluating possible schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not automatically the best option. There are various other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are available.

Defining Cosmetology

Shafter CA makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more beautiful through the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can 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 form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Shafter CA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a client base, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers 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 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 a few states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees

Shafter CA hairdresser cutting hair There are basically two pathways offered to receive cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs typically 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 instructed in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you prefer to specialize in just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also probably include management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Shafter CA business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you go with, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s certified by the California Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only approve schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the upcoming section.

Online Cosmetologist Training

student attending cosmetology school online in Shafter CA Online cosmetology schools are advantageous for Shafter CA students who are employed full-time and have family responsibilities that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of online beauty school programs available that can be attended by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are frequently fast paced because many courses are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a substantial portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you’re not devoting many hours outside of your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it’s vital that the training program you select can provide internship training in local salons and parlors in order that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to acquire the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Beauty Schools

Questions to ask Shafter CA beauty schools Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any cosmetology training program you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Shafter CA residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like 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 initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have put together several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the cosmetology training program you pick 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 assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in 93263 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Shafter CA employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any cosmetology school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Shafter CA salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And last, contact the California school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your intention 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 open a hair salon in Shafter CA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you require.

Is Any Live Training Provided? Studying and refining cosmetology skills and techniques requires lots of practice on volunteers. Ask 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 make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. So search for other schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a beauty school, it’s important that he or she gets help in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid develope relationships with Shafter CA employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which salons and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered? The majority of beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an option until you determine what financial assistance may be provided.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Shafter CA?

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

Shafter, California

Shafter is a city in Kern County, California, United States. It is located 18 miles (29 km) west-northwest of Bakersfield.[8] The population was 16,988 at the 2010 census, up from 12,736 at the 2000 census.

The city of Shafter began as a loading dock along the Santa Fe Railroad right-of-way. The community was named for General William Rufus Shafter who commanded US Forces in Cuba during the Spanish–American War.[8] Property was sold beginning in 1914 and the city incorporated in 1938.

Also of historical note, Shafter is home to Minter Field, which began operations in June 1941 and saw heavy use during World War II. Approximately 7,000 troops were stationed at the airstrip which hosted up to 600 prisoners of war as well. Today it is publicly owned and administered by the Minter Field Airport District and serves as an industrial center and airport for crop dusters and private aircraft. The Minter Field Museum is maintained on location as well.

Enroll in the Right Cosmetology College near Shafter CA

Shafter CA barber blow drying client's hair Choosing and enrolling in the ideal cosmetologist college is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident 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 use that information to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the academy and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your career as a professional cosmetologist in Shafter CA.