Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Delray Beach FL

How to Choose a Cosmetology School near Delray Beach Florida

nail technicians training at Delray Beach FL beauty school Now that you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Delray Beach FL, the task begins to find and enroll in the ideal school. It’s imperative that the program you choose not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be a little bit puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We’ll talk a little bit more about that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Delray Beach home. Tuition will also be a critical factor when evaluating prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not necessarily the best option. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are offered.

Defining Cosmetology

Delray Beach FL makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states mandate that you go through some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Delray Beach FL beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a client base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by 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 formerly mentioned, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees and Certificates

Delray Beach FL hairdresser cutting hair There are primarily two pathways offered to receive cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs generally take 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate’s degree usually takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you wish to focus on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also probably feature management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Delray Beach FL business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you choose, it’s essential to make sure that it’s recognized by the Florida Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only approve 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 select in the following segment.

Online Beauty Courses

student attending cosmetology school online in Delray Beach FL Online beauty schools are accommodating for Delray Beach FL students who are working full time and have family responsibilities 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 attended via a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are typically fast paced given that many courses are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a substantial portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you’re not spending many hours away from your home or travelling to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s essential that the training program you select can provide internship training in local 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 field. So make sure if you choose to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Beauty Degree Programs

Questions to ask Delray Beach FL beauty schools Below is a series of questions that you should research for any cosmetologist training program you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Delray Beach FL residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you want 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 must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the cosmetology college you select 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 measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in 33444 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Delray Beach FL 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? Every cosmetology institute that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional 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 placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Delray Beach FL salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, consult the Florida school licensing authority to find out 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, offering training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your intention is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to start a hair salon in Delray Beach FL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you need.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a beauty school offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a cosmetology program, it’s imperative that he or she gets aid in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with Delray Beach FL employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm 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 provide 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 find out 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 offered to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an option before you determine what financial aid may be offered.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Delray Beach FL?

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

Delray Beach, Florida

Delray Beach is a coastal city in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The population of Delray Beach was estimated at 67,371 in 2016. That is up from 60,522 according to the 2010 United States Census.[8] Delray Beach is a principal city of the Miami metropolitan area, which was home to an estimated 6,012,331 people in 2015.

The earliest known human inhabitants of what is now Delray Beach were the Jaega people.[11]Tequesta Indians likely passed through or inhabited the area at various times, and an 1841 U.S. military map shows a Seminole camp located in the area now known as Lake Ida. Few other recorded details of these local indigenous settlements have survived.[12][13]

In 1876, the United States Life Saving Service built the Orange Grove House of Refuge to rescue and shelter ship-wrecked sailors. The house derived its name from the grove of mature sour orange and other tropical fruit trees found at the site chosen for the house of refuge, but no record or evidence of who planted the trees was discovered.[1][2]

Select the Right Cosmetology School near Delray Beach FL

Delray Beach FL barber blow drying client's hair Picking and enrolling in the right beauty college is imperative to get the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Delray Beach FL.