How to Select a Cosmetologist School near Kincaid Illinois
Now that you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Kincaid IL, the process starts to locate and enroll in the best school. It’s imperative that the school you pick not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be a little bit unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We’ll speak a bit more concerning that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Kincaid home. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when assessing potential schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not necessarily the right option. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are offered.
What is Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human body look more attractive with the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but really a cosmetic can 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 mandate that you take some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Kincaid 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 seeing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles 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 stated, in most states working cosmetologists must 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, such as shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Certificates and Degrees
There are basically two pathways offered to obtain 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 require 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. Shorter programs are offered if you prefer to concentrate on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also probably incorporate management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Kincaid IL business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you opt for, it’s important to make certain that it’s approved by the Illinois Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only approve schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the upcoming segment.
Online Cosmetology Courses
Online beauty programs are accommodating for Kincaid IL students who are employed full-time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many online cosmetology school programs available that can be attended through a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty schools are typically fast paced because many courses are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same amount of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours away from your home or travelling back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s essential that the school you select can provide internship training in local salons and parlors in order that you also get the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to obtain the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Cosmetologist Trade Schools
Following is a list of questions that you should research for any cosmetologist training school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Kincaid 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 preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the cosmetology school you enroll in 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in 62540 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Kincaid IL businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each cosmetology college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Kincaid IL salon owners or managers, or any person working in the field, 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. And last, consult the Illinois school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing 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 frequently 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 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 aspiration is to open a hair salon in Kincaid 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 provide the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting cosmetology techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. So try to find alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a cosmetology school, it’s essential that he or she receives assistance in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with Kincaid IL employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which salons and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out 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 Assistance Available? The majority of beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an alternative until you learn what financial aid may be available.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Kincaid IL?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Kincaid IL area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Kincaid, Illinois
As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 1,441 people, 600 households, and 400 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,309.9 people per square mile (897.4/km²). There were 658 housing units at an average density of 1,054.8 per square mile (409.8/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 98.68% White, 0.49% Native American, and 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.62% of the population.
There were 600 households out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the village, the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.7 males.
Enroll in the Right Cosmetology School near Kincaid IL
Finding and enrolling in the right cosmetology college is essential to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Don’t forget to compile 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 sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Kincaid IL.
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