Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools South Lyme CT

How to Select a Cosmetologist School near South Lyme Connecticut

nail technicians training at South Lyme CT beauty schoolOnce you have decided to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near South Lyme CT, the task begins to search for and enroll in the best school. It’s essential that the program you choose not only furnishes the proper instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We’ll speak a little bit more about that in the upcoming segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your South Lyme residence. Tuition will also be an important consideration when evaluating possible schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not always the ideal choice. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are offered.

What is Cosmetology

South Lyme CT makeup ar4tist applying makeupCosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human body look more attractive through the application 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 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 go through some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only South Lyme CT beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a clientele, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many professional names 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 earlier stated, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption. Only those conducting more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Certificates and Degrees

South Lyme CT hairdresser cutting hairThere are basically two pathways offered to get cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs normally call for 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 trained in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you prefer to focus on 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 run a parlor or other South Lyme CT 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 program you go with, it’s important to make certain that it’s recognized by the Connecticut Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the benefits of accreditation for the school you decide on in the upcoming segment.

Online Beauty Training

student attending cosmetology school online in South Lyme CTOnline beauty classes are convenient for South Lyme CT students who are employed full-time and have family commitments that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of online cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed by means of a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty programs are often fast paced due to the fact that many programs are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a substantial amount 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 travelling back and forth from classes. However, it’s important that the training program you pick can provide internship training in area salons and parlors to ensure that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So make sure if you choose to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetologist Training Programs

Questions to ask South Lyme CT beauty schoolsFollowing is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any beauty training school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your South Lyme CT home, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably 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 must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s necessary to make sure that the cosmetology college you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in 06376 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many South Lyme CT employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Any beauty school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with South Lyme CT salon owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, consult the Connecticut school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing 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 often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you choose a school that specializes in 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 desire is to launch a hair salon in South Lyme CT, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you need.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided?  Learning and perfecting cosmetology techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty classes you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty program furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. Therefore search for other schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from a cosmetology program, it’s essential that he or she receives aid in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with South Lyme CT employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  Almost all cosmetology schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an option before you determine what financial help may be offered.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near South Lyme CT?

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

Old Lyme, Connecticut

Old Lyme is a coastal town in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The Main Street of the town, Lyme Street, is a historic district. The town has long been a popular summer resort and artists' colony. The town is named after Lyme Regis, England.

The US headquarters of Sennheiser is located in Old Lyme, as is Callaway Cars, the Florence Griswold Museum (including the Florence Griswold House), the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, and the Lyme Art Association. Old Lyme and its neighboring town Lyme are the namesake for Lyme disease.

Old Lyme is a community of about 7,600 permanent residents, in addition to several thousand seasonal vacationers who occupy a seaside community of summer residences. It is located on the east bank of the Connecticut River at its confluence with the Long Island Sound, across the river from Old Saybrook on the west bank. Numerous examples of Colonial and Federal architecture can be found throughout the town.

Pick the Right Cosmetologist School near South Lyme CT

South Lyme CT barber blow drying client's hairPicking and enrolling in the ideal cosmetology school is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to consolidate all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your career as a professional cosmetologist in South Lyme CT.

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