How to Find the Right Cosmetologist College near Franklin Grove Illinois
Once you have decided to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Franklin Grove IL, the task begins to find and enroll in the ideal school. It’s imperative that the school you choose not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be a little bit puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll talk a little bit more concerning that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Franklin Grove residence. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when reviewing prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not automatically the ideal option. There are various other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are available.
Defining Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful through the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states require that you take some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Franklin Grove IL beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a client base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles and work in a wide variety of specializations including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As formerly stated, in the majority of states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exception. Only those offering more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Degrees
There are primarily two pathways available to receive 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 typically call for 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 wish to focus on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also likely incorporate management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Franklin Grove IL business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you opt for, it’s important to make sure that it’s certified by the Illinois Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the next segment.
Online Beauty Programs
Online cosmetology programs are advantageous for Franklin Grove IL students who are employed full time and have family obligations that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous online cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended via a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty programs are frequently fast paced given that many programs are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a considerable portion 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 commuting back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s imperative that the program you choose can provide internship training in local salons and parlors to ensure that you also receive the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So make sure if you choose to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is available in your area.
What to Ask Beauty Training Programs
Below is a list of questions that you should research for any cosmetologist training program you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Franklin Grove IL home, as well as the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s necessary to make sure that the cosmetology training program you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in 61031 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Franklin Grove IL employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each beauty college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Franklin Grove IL salon owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, consult the Illinois school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you enroll in a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your goal 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 start a hair salon in Franklin Grove IL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining cosmetology skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a beauty program offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. So look for alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a beauty school, it’s crucial that she or he gets support in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with Franklin Grove IL employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which salons and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved 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 satisfies all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an option until you learn what financial assistance may be offered.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Franklin Grove IL?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Franklin Grove IL area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Franklin Grove, Illinois
The Lincoln Highway Association (LHA) maintains a national tourist center in Franklin Grove, in a historic building built by Harry Isaac Lincoln, a cousin of Abraham Lincoln. The LHA is a national organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Lincoln Highway, the first road across the United States of America, which was routed through Franklin Grove.
As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 1,052 people, 372 households, and 249 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,835.5 people per square mile (1,097.8/km²). There were 394 housing units at an average density of 1,062.0 per square mile (411.1/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 99.24% White, 0.10% African American, 0.10% Asian, 0.29% from other races, and 0.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.57% of the population.
There were 372 households out of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.4% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.10.
Enroll in the Right Beauty Training Program near Franklin Grove IL
Selecting and enrolling in the right beauty college is imperative to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the responses you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your career as a professional cosmetologist in Franklin Grove IL.
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