Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Saint Simons Island GA

How to Pick a Cosmetologist College near Saint Simons Island Georgia

nail technicians training at Saint Simons Island GA beauty school Now that you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Saint Simons Island GA, the process begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It’s imperative that the program you pick not only provides the proper instruction 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 contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We’ll speak a little bit further about that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Saint Simons Island residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when evaluating possible schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not automatically the best option. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are available.

What is Cosmetology

Saint Simons Island GA makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically 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, most states mandate that you take some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Saint Simons Island GA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a clientele, open their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many professional names and are employed in a wide variety of specialties including:

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

As previously stated, in the majority of states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Certificates and Degrees

Saint Simons Island GA hairdresser cutting hair There are basically two options offered to receive 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 generally require 12 to 18 months to finish, 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 major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you wish to concentrate on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also likely include management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Saint Simons Island GA business. Higher degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you opt for, it’s essential to make certain that it’s approved by the Georgia Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the next segment.

Online Beauty Training

student attending cosmetology school online in Saint Simons Island GA Online beauty programs are accommodating for Saint Simons Island GA students who are working full time and have family obligations that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are many online beauty school programs available that can be accessed through a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology programs are often fast paced due to the fact that many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a substantial portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same volume of material, but you are not spending many hours outside of your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it’s essential that the training program you choose can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors to ensure that you also get the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to obtain the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetology Trade Schools

Questions to ask Saint Simons Island GA beauty schools Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any beauty training school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Saint Simons Island GA residence, together with the price 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 narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s necessary to make sure that the cosmetology training program 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 measure up to their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in 31522 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Saint Simons Island GA businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any cosmetologist institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Saint Simons Island GA salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And last, contact the Georgia school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your ambition is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your dream is to start a hair salon in Saint Simons Island GA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.

Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Practicing and refining cosmetology skills and techniques involves 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 allow students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a beauty school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s crucial that she or he receives assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with Saint Simons Island GA businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which salons and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? The majority of cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. 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 available to students as well. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an option before you learn what financial assistance may be offered.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Saint Simons Island GA?

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

St. Simons, Georgia

St. Simons Island or simply St. Simons is a barrier island and census-designated place (CDP) located on St. Simons Island in Glynn County, Georgia, United States. The community and the island are interchangeable, known simply as "St. Simons Island", or locally as "The Island". St. Simons is part of the Brunswick, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area, and according to the 2010 census, the CDP had a population of 12,743.[3]

Located on the southeast Georgia coast, midway between Savannah and Jacksonville, St. Simons Island is both a seaside resort and residential community. It is the largest of Georgia's renowned Golden Isles (along with Sea Island, Jekyll Island, and privately owned Little St. Simons Island). Visitors are drawn to the Island for its warm climate, beaches, variety of outdoor activities, shops and restaurants, historical sites, and its natural environment.

In addition to its base of permanent residents, the island enjoys an influx of both visitors and part-time residents throughout the year. The 2010 Census notes that 26.8% of total housing units are for "seasonal, recreational, or occasional use".[3] The vast majority of commercial and residential development is located on the southern half of the island. Much of the northern half remains marsh or woodland. A large tract of land in the northeast has been converted to a nature preserve containing trails, historical ruins, and undisturbed maritime forest. The tract, Cannon's Point Preserve, is open to the public on specified days and hours.[4]

Choose the Right Cosmetology School near Saint Simons Island GA

Saint Simons Island GA barber blow drying client's hair Finding and enrolling in the ideal beauty college is imperative to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Don’t forget to organize all of the responses you get from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Saint Simons Island GA.