How to Find the Right Cosmetology College near La Fayette Illinois
Now that you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near La Fayette IL, the process begins to locate and enroll in the best school. It’s essential that the program you pick not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be somewhat puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a little bit further regarding that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your La Fayette residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical consideration when reviewing possible schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not automatically the right choice. There are various other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are available.
Defining Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human anatomy look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be almost anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states require that you undergo some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only La Fayette IL beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a customer base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many professional names and are employed in a wide variety of specialties including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As earlier mentioned, in the majority of states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Degrees and Certificates
There are primarily two options available to receive 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 normally take 12 to 18 months to complete, 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 main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you prefer to specialize in just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also probably include management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other La Fayette IL business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you go with, it’s essential to make certain that it’s certified by the Illinois Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the upcoming segment.
Online Beauty Training
Online beauty classes are advantageous for La Fayette IL students who are working full time and have family commitments that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous online cosmetology school programs available that can be attended via a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are often fast paced since many courses are as short as six or eight months. This means that a large portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, 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 important that the program you choose 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 impossible to acquire the skills necessary 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.
Questions to Ask Beauty Training Courses
Following is a series of questions that you need to research for any beauty training school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your La Fayette IL residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the cosmetology training program you choose 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 quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in 61449 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many La Fayette 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 an Excellent Reputation? Every beauty school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with La Fayette IL salon owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, check with the Illinois school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example 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 focuses on your area of interest. If your goal is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to open a hair salon in La Fayette IL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Learning and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a beauty program furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So search for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a cosmetology program, it’s important that he or she receives assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with La Fayette IL businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which salons and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Many beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing 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 as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an option before you learn what financial aid may be provided.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near La Fayette IL?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater La Fayette IL area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
La Fayette, Illinois
La Fayette (pronounced Lay-fee-yet locally, but named after Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette pronounced l AH f ai EH t) is a village in Stark County, Illinois, United States. The population was 223 at the 2010 census, down from 227 in 2000. It is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.
As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 227 people, 91 households, and 63 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,235.2 people per square mile (486.9/km²). There were 93 housing units at an average density of 506.0 per square mile (199.5/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 96.48% White, 0.44% Asian, 1.76% from other races, and 1.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.76% of the population.
There were 91 households out of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.3% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.7% were non-families. 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.98.
Choose the Right Cosmetologist Vocational School near La Fayette IL
Finding and enrolling in the right cosmetologist college is important to get the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to organize all of the information you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the academy and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional cosmetologist in La Fayette IL.
Other Beautiful Locations in Illinois
Business Results 1 - 10 of 1
8 Reviews 