How to Find the Right Beauty College near Springfield Georgia
Now that you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Springfield GA, the process starts to search for and enroll in the right school. It’s imperative that the program you select not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be rather confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We’ll speak a bit more about that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Springfield home. Tuition will also be a critical factor when evaluating prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not always the best choice. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding 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 kinds of programs are offered.
Defining Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human body look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be almost anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states require that you take some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Springfield GA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a clientele, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many titles 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 stated, in most states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption. Only those offering more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Degrees
There are basically two pathways offered to obtain cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually require 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree usually takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in each of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you want to specialize in just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also probably include management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Springfield GA business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you decide on, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s recognized by the Georgia Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the following section.
Online Cosmetologist Schools
Online cosmetology programs are accommodating for Springfield GA students who are working full-time and have family commitments that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be accessed by means of a desktop 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 short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant amount 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 outside of your home or travelling back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s important that the training program you pick can provide internship training in local salons and parlors in order that you also receive the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to obtain the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is available in your area.
What to Ask Cosmetology Degree Programs
Following is a series of questions that you should investigate for any cosmetologist training school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Springfield GA home, as well as the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the School Accredited? It’s important 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 guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in 31329 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Springfield GA employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any beauty college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing 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 Springfield GA salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. Finally, check with the Georgia school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you decide on a school that focuses on 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 dream is to launch a hair salon in Springfield GA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you need.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty academy offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore look for other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a beauty school, it’s imperative that she or he receives aid in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help develope relationships with Springfield GA businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an alternative before you learn what financial help may be provided.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Springfield GA?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Springfield GA area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Springfield, Georgia
Springfield is a city in Effingham County, Georgia, United States. The population was 2,852 at the 2010 census,[5] up from 1,821 in 2000. The city is the county seat of Effingham County.[6] Springfield is part of the Savannah Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Springfield is the seat of government for Effingham County.[7]Ebenezer was the county seat from 1797 to 1799. In 1799, Effingham County had three different county seats.[1] The state legislature appointed a commission to select a new centrally located site for the permanent county seat. A location five miles from the center of the county was chosen and named Springfield, for the plantation of General David Blackshear.[7]
The county government surveyed the new town, and designated streets, lots, and the public squares that were to be used for the courthouse and the jail. The lots were sold to finance the construction of these public buildings. A map drawn in 1821 shows four north–south streets and nine east–west streets. Development of the new county seat was slow, as it was isolated from customary routes of trade. At the turn of the 20th century, it was listed as having only about twelve houses.
Find the Right Cosmetologist Vocational School near Springfield GA
Locating and enrolling in the right beauty college is imperative to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to organize all of the responses you receive from the beauty 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 institution and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to narrow down 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 ready to start your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Springfield GA.
Other Beautiful Locations in Georgia
Business Results 1 - 10 of 3
3 Reviews 
89 Reviews 
73 Reviews 