How to Enroll In a Cosmetologist College near Ashton Illinois
Since you have decided to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Ashton IL, the process starts to search for and enroll in the best school. It’s imperative that the program you choose not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be rather confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We’ll speak a little bit more about that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Ashton residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when assessing potential schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not necessarily the right option. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are available.
What is Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human anatomy look more beautiful with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic can be almost anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states require that you undergo some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Ashton IL beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a client base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own residences or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many professional names and work in a wide range of specialties including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As previously mentioned, in most states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption. Only those conducting more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Certificates and Degrees
There are primarily two pathways available to obtain cosmetology training and a credential after 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 finish, while an Associate’s degree usually 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 want to concentrate on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also probably feature management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Ashton IL business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you go with, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s approved by the Illinois Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the following section.
Online Cosmetology Programs
Online cosmetology schools are advantageous for Ashton IL students who are working full-time and have family responsibilities that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous online cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed by means of a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are frequently fast paced given that many courses are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not spending many hours away from your home or driving to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s important that the training program you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors in order that you also receive the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to gain the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Beauty Training Courses
Following is a series of questions that you should investigate for any cosmetology training school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Ashton IL home, together with the expense of tuition, will probably be your first 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 options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the cosmetology school 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 ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in 61006 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Ashton IL businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every cosmetologist school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Ashton IL salon owners or managers, or someone working in the business, 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. Finally, contact the Illinois school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular 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 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 respected for that program. If your desire is to launch a hair salon in Ashton IL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty academy offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a cosmetology school, it’s essential that he or she receives support in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with Ashton IL employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? The majority of beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 available to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an option before you learn what financial assistance may be provided.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Ashton IL?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Ashton IL area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Ashton, Illinois
Ashton is located at 41°52′00″N 89°13′19″W / 41.866545°N 89.221923°W / 41.866545; -89.221923Coordinates: 41°52′00″N 89°13′19″W / 41.866545°N 89.221923°W / 41.866545; -89.221923.[4]
As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 1,142 people, 437 households, and 312 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,727.6 people per square mile (668.1/km²). There were 468 housing units at an average density of 708.0 per square mile (273.8/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 97.99% White, 1.05% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.35% from other races, and 0.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.36% of the population.
There were 423 households out of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.4% were non-families. 23.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 2.98.
Choose the Right Cosmetologist School near Ashton IL
Locating and enrolling in the ideal cosmetology school is important to obtain the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to organize all of the responses you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Ashton IL.
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