How to Select a Cosmetologist College near Stapleton Georgia

Now that you have decided to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Stapleton GA, the task begins to find and enroll in the best school. It’s imperative that the program you select not only provides the appropriate education for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may be somewhat puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a bit more about that in the next segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Stapleton home. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when reviewing potential schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it’s not necessarily the right choice. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are offered.

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 a number of cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states mandate that you go through some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Stapleton GA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gotten experience and a clientele, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing customers either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many titles 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 certain states there is an exemption. Only those offering more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Certificates and Degrees

There are basically two avenues available 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 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 trained in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you prefer to concentrate on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely incorporate management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Stapleton 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 course you choose, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s approved by the Georgia Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the next section.

Online Beauty Programs

Online cosmetology classes are convenient for Stapleton GA students who are employed full-time and have family commitments that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based beauty school programs available that can be accessed via a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are frequently fast paced due to the fact 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 courses, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or travelling to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s imperative that the school you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors in order that you also receive the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to obtain the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetology Schools

Below is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any beauty training school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Stapleton GA home, together with the price of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt 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 should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the cosmetology school you enroll in 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in 30823 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Stapleton GA businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Every cosmetologist school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Stapleton GA salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, contact the Georgia school licensing authority to find out 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 expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you enroll in a school that focuses on 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 respected for that program. If your vision is to launch a hair salon in Stapleton GA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you need.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Practicing and refining cosmetology skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty school offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for other schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from a cosmetology school, it’s imperative that he or she receives help in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with Stapleton GA employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which salons and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  Most beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn 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 satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an option until you determine what financial aid may be available.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Stapleton GA?

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

Find the Right Beauty Training Program near Stapleton GA

Picking and enrolling in the right cosmetology school is imperative to receive the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Don’t forget to consolidate all of the information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the academy and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your career as a professional cosmetologist in Stapleton GA.

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