How to Choose a Cosmetology College near La Harpe Illinois
Now that you have decided to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near La Harpe IL, the process begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It’s important that the school you select not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you may be a little bit puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We’ll speak a bit further concerning that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your La Harpe home. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when evaluating potential schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not always the best option. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding 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 available.
Defining Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human anatomy look more attractive with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be almost anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states mandate that you take some kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only La Harpe IL beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gotten experience and a client base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many titles and are employed in a wide range of specializations including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As formerly mentioned, in most states working 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, which include shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Degrees
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 work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs typically take 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 major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you prefer to focus on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other La Harpe IL business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training 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 highly regarded agencies, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the next segment.
Online Cosmetologist Training
Online beauty schools are advantageous for La Harpe IL students who are employed full time and have family obligations that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are many web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be accessed by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty schools are often fast paced due to the fact that many programs are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you’re not spending numerous hours outside of your home or travelling back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s essential that the training program you choose can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to gain the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Beauty Degree Programs
Following is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any cosmetology training program you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your La Harpe IL residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to 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 decision.
Is the School Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the cosmetology school 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 ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in 61450 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many La Harpe IL employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each beauty school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with La Harpe 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 suggest others that you had not considered. And last, contact the Illinois school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your intention is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a hair salon in La Harpe IL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a cosmetology academy, it’s crucial that she or he receives help in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with La Harpe IL employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which salons and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask 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 Assistance Available? Almost all cosmetology schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an option before you find out what financial help may be available.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near La Harpe IL?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater La Harpe IL area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
La Harpe, Illinois
La Harpe is located in northeastern Hancock County at 40°34′59″N 90°58′08″W / 40.582925°N 90.968770°W / 40.582925; -90.968770,[4] south of the South Branch La Moine River. Illinois Route 9 passes through the city as its Main Street, leading east 25 miles (40 km) to Bushnell and west 13 miles (21 km) to Dallas City on the Mississippi River. Illinois Route 94 intersects IL 9 at the western edge of the city, and leads north 15 miles (24 km) to Stronghurst.
During the 18th century, French explorers headed by Bernard de la Harpe were forced to spend the winter just north of the present city of La Harpe. About 1896, four stone tablets dated June 15, 1715, and inscribed in French were reportedly found a few miles east of the old fortication built by the explorers. Stones were translated locally by the only French family in town as follows: "We are surrounded by indians and have no hope for survival unless help soon arrives." Said stone tablets were reported to be sent to the Smithsonian for authentication, and were ruled a hoax. Their whereabouts are currently unknown.
Soon after 1830, landowners in the area began to develop a town which they called "Franklin". In 1836, they applied for a post office and were informed another town in Illinois was already named Franklin. The first postmaster, Louis Rice Chaffin, suggested the name be registered as "La Harpe", for the Frenchman who spent the winter over 100 years earlier. The City of La Harpe was granted a charter by the Illinois legislature in 1859. The charter was amended in 1861 to change the size of the town, and the boundaries have changed through the years. Today the city has 22 streets and avenues.
Choose the Right Cosmetology Training Program near La Harpe IL
Locating and enrolling in the right cosmetology college is important to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to organize all of the responses you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the academy and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied 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 examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in La Harpe IL.
Other Beautiful Locations in Illinois
Business Results 1 - 10 of 0
