How to Find the Right Cosmetologist School near Kahului Hawaii

Now that you have decided to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Kahului HI, the task starts to find and enroll in the right school. It’s imperative that the school you choose not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may be a little bit unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a little bit further concerning that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Kahului home. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when reviewing prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not automatically the right choice. There are various other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of training programs are offered.

Defining Cosmetology

Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human anatomy look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states require that you take some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Kahului HI beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gotten experience and a customer base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing clients either in their own residences 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 range of specialties including:

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

As formerly mentioned, in most states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees and Certificates

There are primarily two options available to obtain cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs normally require 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 all of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you wish to specialize in just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also probably incorporate management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Kahului HI business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you choose, it’s essential to make sure that it’s certified by the Hawaii Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the upcoming segment.

Online Beauty Courses

Online beauty schools are accommodating for Kahului HI students who are working full time and have family obligations that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many web-based beauty school programs offered that can be attended by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are frequently fast paced given that many programs 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 amount of material, but you are not spending numerous hours outside of your home or travelling back and forth from classes. However, it’s essential that the program you select can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to acquire the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Cosmetology Degree Programs

Following is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any beauty training program you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Kahului HI residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn 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 even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make certain that the cosmetology school you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified 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 guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in 96732 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Kahului HI employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Any cosmetologist college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Kahului HI salon owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, contact the Hawaii school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you pick 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 Kahului HI, then you need 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 provide the training you need.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Learning and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty academy provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  As soon as a student graduates from a cosmetology academy, it’s essential that she or he gets help in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with Kahului HI businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  Most cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an alternative until you find out what financial aid may be provided.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Kahului HI?

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

Find the Right Cosmetologist Vocational School near Kahului HI

Picking and enrolling in the right cosmetology program is imperative to obtain the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to organize all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the academy and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, 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 ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Kahului HI.

Other Beautiful Locations in Hawaii

Business Results 1 - 10 of 4

Haven Hair Salon & Day Spa

7 Reviews

Hair Salons, Skin Care, Day Spas

Phone:

4230 Lower Kula Rd, Kula, HI 96790

Salon Bella Maui

15 Reviews

Hair Salons, Hair Removal

Phone:

180 Dickenson St, Ste 208, Lahaina, HI 96761

Salon 253

111 Reviews

Hair Salons, Waxing, Eyelash Service

Phone:

253 S Market St, Wailuku, HI 96793

Happy Nails Kihei

68 Reviews

Nail Salons, Waxing

Phone:

1819 S Kihei Rd, Ste B112, Kihei, HI 96753