How to Pick a Cosmetologist College near Gunnison Colorado
Once you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Gunnison CO, the process begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It’s imperative that the school you pick not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be somewhat unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a bit more concerning that in the upcoming segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Gunnison residence. Tuition will also be an important consideration when evaluating prospective schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not automatically the best choice. There are various other qualifications 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 within this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are available.
Definition of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you take some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Gunnison CO beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many titles and work in a wide variety of specialties including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As formerly mentioned, in most states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In certain states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Certificates and Degrees
There are essentially two avenues offered to get 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 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 offered if you want to focus on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also likely incorporate management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Gunnison CO business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you choose, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s recognized by the Colorado Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you decide on in the upcoming segment.
Online Cosmetology Training
Online cosmetology schools are advantageous for Gunnison CO students who are employed full-time and have family obligations that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many online cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended via a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are typically fast paced because many programs are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same volume of material, but you are not spending numerous hours outside of your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it’s important that the school you select can provide internship training in area salons and parlors in order that you also receive the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship part 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 confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
What to Ask Cosmetologist Schools
Following is a list of questions that you should look into for any cosmetologist training program you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Gunnison CO home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the cosmetology college you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged 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 superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in 81230 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Gunnison CO businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any cosmetologist institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Gunnison CO salon owners or managers, or any person 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 looked into. Finally, consult the Colorado school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your goal is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a hair salon in Gunnison CO, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on people. Ask 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 enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty program provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. So look for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a cosmetology program, it’s important that he or she receives help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help develope relationships with Gunnison CO businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs 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. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded 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 reviewing have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and identify 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 too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an option until you learn what financial aid may be provided.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Gunnison CO?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Gunnison CO area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Gunnison, Colorado
The City of Gunnison is the county seat and the most populous municipality of Gunnison County, Colorado, United States.[7] As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 5,854.[8] It was named in honor of John W. Gunnison, a United States Army officer who surveyed for the transcontinental railroad in 1853.[9] Gunnison is a Home Rule municipality which reserves the right to choose how it is governed.[10]
The town of Gunnison got its name from the first known Anglo-Saxon explorer of the area, John W. Gunnison. He was searching for a route for the transcontinental railroad in 1853 and only stayed for three days before traveling west to Utah. Gunnison saw its first population increase in the 1870s, due to the mining surge throughout the state. The railroad arrived soon after in 1880 to appreciative miners, ranchers, and farmers.
In the early 1800s, the groups moving into the Gunnison area were mainly fur trappers and mountain men, trying to make a living for themselves in the rocky mountain terrain. But a drop in fur prices in the 1840s essentially cut out the need for their jobs.
Enroll in the Right Cosmetologist School near Gunnison CO
Locating and enrolling in the right cosmetology program is important to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be 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 information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to start your career as a professional cosmetologist in Gunnison CO.
Other Beautiful Locations in Colorado
Business Results 1 - 10 of 0
