How to Choose a Cosmetology College near Ellis Grove Illinois
Now that you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Ellis Grove IL, the task begins to find and enroll in the right school. It’s important that the program you choose not only furnishes the proper training for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be somewhat puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll talk a little bit more regarding that in the following section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Ellis Grove residence. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when reviewing possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not necessarily the ideal option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are available.
Defining Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human anatomy look more attractive with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states require that you take some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Ellis Grove IL beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gotten experience and a clientele, open their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many titles 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 already stated, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption. Only those conducting more skilled services, for example 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 and Certificates
There are primarily two avenues offered to get cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs generally call for 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree ordinarily takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in each of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you wish to focus on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also probably feature management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Ellis Grove IL business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you go with, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s approved by the Illinois Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only approve schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the upcoming segment.
Online Beauty Programs
Online beauty classes are accommodating for Ellis Grove IL students who are working full-time and have family responsibilities that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are many web-based beauty school programs offered that can be attended by means of a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are frequently fast paced because many programs are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours away from your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it’s important that the school you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training required for a comprehensive 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 be sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is provided in your area.
What to Ask Beauty Schools
Below is a list of questions that you should research for any cosmetologist training school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Ellis Grove IL residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the cosmetology school you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged 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 important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in 62241 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Ellis Grove IL employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any cosmetologist school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good 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, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Ellis Grove IL salon owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And last, consult the Illinois 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, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your intention is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to launch a hair salon in Ellis Grove IL, 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 poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Practicing and refining cosmetology skills and techniques demands lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty program furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s imperative that he or she gets help in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with Ellis Grove IL businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which salons and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Many beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and identify 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 available to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an alternative until you learn what financial help may be available.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Ellis Grove IL?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Ellis Grove IL area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Ellis Grove, Illinois
According to the 2010 census, Ellis Grove has a total area of 0.491 square miles (1.27 km2), of which 0.49 square miles (1.27 km2) (or 99.8%) is land and 0.001 square miles (0.00 km2) (or 0.2%) is water.[5]
As of the 2000 United States Census,[7] there were 381 people, 145 households, and 102 families residing in the village. The population density was 819.4 people per square mile (319.8/km²). There were 149 housing units at an average density of 320.4 per square mile (125.1/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 99.21% White, 0.26% Native American, and 0.52% from two or more races.
There were 145 households out of which 40.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.1% were married couples living together, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.22.
Enroll in the Right Cosmetology Program near Ellis Grove IL
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal cosmetologist college is imperative to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the responses you get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to begin your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Ellis Grove IL.
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