Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Palos Heights IL

How to Enroll In a Cosmetology School near Palos Heights Illinois

nail technicians training at Palos Heights IL beauty school Once you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Palos Heights IL, the process starts to search for and enroll in the right school. It’s essential that the program you pick not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be rather puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We’ll speak a little bit further regarding that in the upcoming segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Palos Heights home. Tuition will likewise be a critical factor when reviewing possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not automatically the right choice. There are several other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are offered.

Definition of Cosmetology

Palos Heights 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 referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you take some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Palos Heights IL beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a clientele, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing customers either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many names and work in a wide range of specialties including:

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

As already stated, in most states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Degrees and Certificates

Palos Heights IL hairdresser cutting hair There are essentially two pathways offered to obtain cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs normally call for 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 all of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you want to concentrate on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely feature management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Palos Heights IL business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you opt for, it’s important to make sure that it’s recognized by the Illinois Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only approve schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the next segment.

Online Beauty Schools

student attending cosmetology school online in Palos Heights IL Online cosmetology programs are convenient for Palos Heights IL students who are employed full-time and have family obligations that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are many online cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed via a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are frequently fast paced due to the fact that many programs are as short as six or eight months. This means that a considerable portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not spending numerous hours away from your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it’s essential that the program you pick can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

What to Ask Beauty Degree Programs

Questions to ask Palos Heights IL beauty schools Below is a list of questions that you will want to research for any beauty training program you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Palos Heights IL residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your first 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 preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have compiled several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the cosmetology college you enroll in 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 superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in 60463 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Palos Heights IL employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals 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 industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Palos Heights IL salon owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. Finally, 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 Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating 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 frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your objective 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 open a hair salon in Palos Heights IL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you need.

Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty academy furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for other schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s crucial that she or he gets help in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with Palos Heights IL employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available? Almost all cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn 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 as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an option until you learn what financial assistance may be offered.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Palos Heights IL?

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

Palos Heights, Illinois

According to the 2010 census, Palos Heights has a total area of 3.878 square miles (10.04 km2), of which 3.78 square miles (9.79 km2) (or 97.47%) is land and 0.098 square miles (0.25 km2) (or 2.53%) is water.[4]

As of the 2000 census,[6] there were 11,561 people, 4,123 households, and 3,133 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,978.6 people per square mile (1,150.1/km²). There were 4,268 housing units at an average density of 1,129.0 per square mile (435.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.39% White, 0.44% African American, 0.09% Native American, 2.06% Asian, 0.25% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.43% of the population.

There were 4,123 households out of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.0% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.0% were non-families. 22.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.98.

Choose the Right Cosmetology School near Palos Heights IL

Palos Heights IL barber blow drying client's hair Selecting and enrolling in the right cosmetologist program is important to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Don’t forget to organize all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you pick are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Palos Heights IL.