How to Choose a Cosmetologist School near Catlin Illinois

Now that you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Catlin IL, the process begins to locate and enroll in the best school. It’s imperative that the school you select not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be a little bit puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We’ll speak a bit further about that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Catlin home. Tuition will also be an important factor when evaluating prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not automatically the ideal choice. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are offered.

Defining Cosmetology

Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human anatomy look more beautiful through the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may 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 mandate that you go through some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Catlin IL beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a clientele, open their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many 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 earlier stated, in most states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption. Only those conducting more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees

There are primarily two options available to obtain cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs generally take 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. Shorter programs are offered if you wish to concentrate on just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also probably feature management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Catlin IL business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you decide on, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s recognized by the Illinois Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only approve schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the next segment.

Online Beauty Programs

Online cosmetology classes are advantageous for Catlin IL students who are employed full time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous online beauty school programs offered that can be attended via a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology programs are often fast paced because many programs are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or driving back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s important that the school you pick can provide internship training in area salons and parlors in order that you also receive the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetologist Training Classes

Following is a series of questions that you need to research for any beauty training school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Catlin IL residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly 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 program. Following we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the School Accredited? It’s necessary to make sure that the cosmetology college you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in 61817 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Catlin IL businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Each cosmetologist institute that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Catlin IL salon owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the Illinois 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 Specialty?  Many beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your intention 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 desire is to open a hair salon in Catlin IL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you require.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided?  Studying and mastering cosmetology skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Ask 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 developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty program provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So search for other schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  When a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s important that he or she receives help in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help develope relationships with Catlin IL businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which salons and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  Almost all beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you find out what financial aid may be offered.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Catlin IL?

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

Select the Right Beauty Program near Catlin IL

Selecting and enrolling in the ideal cosmetologist college is essential to get the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Catlin IL.

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