Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools La Grange Park IL

How to Choose a Cosmetology School near La Grange Park Illinois

nail technicians training at La Grange Park IL beauty school Now that you have decided to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near La Grange Park IL, the process starts to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It’s imperative that the program you pick not only furnishes the proper instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be somewhat puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a little bit further concerning that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your La Grange Park residence. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when assessing potential schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not necessarily the best choice. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are offered.

Defining Cosmetology

La Grange Park IL makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more beautiful with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many 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. In order to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states require that you go through some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only La Grange Park IL beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gotten experience and a clientele, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many names 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 previously mentioned, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In certain states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees and Certificates

La Grange Park IL hairdresser cutting hair There are basically two pathways available to get cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs typically take 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 instructed in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you wish to focus on just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely feature management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other La Grange Park IL business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you choose, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s approved by the Illinois Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you decide on in the upcoming segment.

Online Cosmetology Classes

student attending cosmetology school online in La Grange Park IL Online beauty classes are convenient for La Grange Park 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 web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed via a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty programs are often fast paced because many programs are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are covering the same volume of material, but you are not devoting many hours outside of your home or commuting back and forth from classes. However, it’s essential that the training program you pick can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors to ensure that you also obtain the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to obtain the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Beauty Degree Programs

Questions to ask La Grange Park IL beauty schools Below is a list of questions that you will want to research for any cosmetology training school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your La Grange Park IL home, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the cosmetology training program you pick 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 may also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in 60526 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous La Grange Park 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 Great Reputation? Every beauty college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with La Grange Park IL salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. Finally, contact the Illinois school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? A number of beauty 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 typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your ambition is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a hair salon in La Grange Park IL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you require.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty academy provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly 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? As soon as a student graduates from a cosmetology school, it’s crucial that he or she receives help in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid develope relationships with La Grange Park IL employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask 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 cosmetology schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and find out 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 accessible to students too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an option before you learn what financial help may be provided.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near La Grange Park IL?

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

La Grange Park, Illinois

As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 13,295 people, 5,432 households, and 3,516 families residing in the village. The population density was 8,925 people per square mile. There were 5,560 housing units at an average density of 2,467.3 per square mile (954.1/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 93.2% White, 3.1% African American, 0.1% Native American, 1.6% Asian, 0% Pacific Islander, .9% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.6% of the population.

There were 5,432 households out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.7% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the village, the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 21.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.8 males.

Pick the Right Cosmetologist College near La Grange Park IL

La Grange Park IL barber blow drying client's hair Locating and enrolling in the ideal cosmetologist school is important to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the responses you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this post, 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 exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional cosmetologist in La Grange Park IL.