Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Hampshire IL

How to Pick a Cosmetology School near Hampshire Illinois

nail technicians training at Hampshire IL beauty school Now that you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Hampshire IL, the task starts to find and enroll in the best school. It’s imperative that the school you pick not only furnishes the necessary instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We’ll speak a little bit further about that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Hampshire home. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when reviewing possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not automatically the best option. There are various other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are offered.

Definition of Cosmetology

Hampshire IL makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more beautiful through the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of 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 anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states require that you undergo some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Hampshire IL beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gotten experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many names and are employed in a wide variety of specializations including:

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

As already mentioned, in the majority of states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those performing more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Degrees and Certificates

Hampshire IL hairdresser cutting hair There are primarily two pathways available 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 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 main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you want to focus on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also likely incorporate management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Hampshire 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. Whichever type of program you choose, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s recognized by the Illinois Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only approve schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the upcoming segment.

Online Beauty Schools

student attending cosmetology school online in Hampshire IL Online beauty programs are convenient for Hampshire IL students who are employed full time and have family commitments that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended through a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology programs are typically fast paced given that many programs are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a substantial portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not spending many hours away from your home or travelling back and forth from classes. However, it’s imperative that the school you pick can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to obtain the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Cosmetology Schools

Questions to ask Hampshire IL beauty schools Following is a list of questions that you will want to research for any cosmetologist training program you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Hampshire IL home, as well as the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first 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 initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the cosmetology college you select 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in 60140 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Hampshire IL businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every cosmetology school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Hampshire IL salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And last, contact the Illinois school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential 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 vision is to start a hair salon in Hampshire IL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you need.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty academy provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a cosmetology school, it’s imperative that she or he gets support in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with Hampshire IL employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating 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 wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Available? Most cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Talk to 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 meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an alternative before you determine what financial assistance may be offered.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Hampshire IL?

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

Hampshire, Illinois

As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 2,490 people, 1,015 households, and 792 families residing in the village. There were 1,051 housing units at an average density of 215.5 per square mile (83.2/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 98.21% White, 0.10% African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.14% Asian, and 0.62% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.41% of the population.

There were 1,015 households out of which 42.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.6% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.9% were non-families. 17.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.28.

In the village, the population was spread out with 29.7% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.

Find the Right Cosmetology Vocational School near Hampshire IL

Hampshire IL barber blow drying client's hair Choosing and enrolling in the ideal cosmetologist school is imperative to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. 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 information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Hampshire IL.