Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Park Ridge IL

How to Find the Right Beauty College near Park Ridge Illinois

nail technicians training at Park Ridge IL beauty schoolSince you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Park Ridge IL, the process starts to locate and enroll in the best school. It’s imperative that the school you pick not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be somewhat confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We’ll talk a little bit more regarding that in the upcoming section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Park Ridge home. Tuition will likewise be a critical consideration when assessing prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not automatically the right option. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are offered.

Defining Cosmetology

Park Ridge IL makeup ar4tist applying makeupCosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more beautiful with the use 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 word cosmetics, but really 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 require that you go through some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Park Ridge IL beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a customer base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing customers either in their own residences or will travel 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 earlier stated, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those performing more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees

Park Ridge IL hairdresser cutting hairThere are essentially two avenues available 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 finish, 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 main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you prefer to concentrate on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Park Ridge IL business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you decide on, it’s essential to make sure that it’s approved by the Illinois Board of Cosmetology. Many states only approve schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you decide on in the next segment.

Online Beauty Training

student attending cosmetology school online in Park Ridge ILOnline beauty schools are convenient for Park Ridge IL students who are working full-time and have family responsibilities that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be accessed via a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology programs are typically fast paced because many courses are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a considerable amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are covering the same amount of material, but you’re not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or travelling to and from classes. However, it’s important that the training program you pick can provide internship training in area salons and parlors to ensure that you also receive the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is available in your area.

What to Ask Cosmetologist Degree Programs

Questions to ask Park Ridge IL beauty schoolsFollowing is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any beauty training program you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Park Ridge IL residence, together with the cost of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want 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 initial 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 sure that the cosmetology college you pick 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 assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 60068 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Park Ridge IL employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Every cosmetology school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Park Ridge IL salon owners or managers, or any person 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 looked into. Finally, consult 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?  Some 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 instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you choose a school that focuses on 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 vision is to open a hair salon in Park Ridge IL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you require.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Practicing and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a beauty program furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So try to find alternate schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s imperative that she or he gets aid in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with Park Ridge IL businesses that are seeking qualified 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. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  Most cosmetology schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Speak with 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 too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an option until you determine what financial aid may be provided.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Park Ridge IL?

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

Park Ridge, Illinois

Park Ridge is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States, and a Chicago suburb. The population was 37,480 at the 2010 census.[2] It is located 15 miles (24 km) northwest of downtown Chicago. It is close to O'Hare International Airport, major expressways, and rail transportation. It is a part of the Chicago metropolitan area, bordering three northwestern neighborhoods of Chicago's Far North Side (Edison Park, Norwood Park, and O'Hare.)

As its name suggests, Park Ridge lies on a ridge. The soil is abundant with clay deposits, which made it a brick-making center for the developing city of Chicago. Park Ridge was originally called Pennyville to honor George Penny, the businessman who owned the local brickyard along with Robert Meacham. Later it was named Brickton.[4] The Des Plaines River divides Park Ridge from neighboring Des Plaines, Illinois, which is west of Park Ridge. Chicago is south and east of Park Ridge, and Niles and unincorporated Maine Township are to its north.[5]

The area of Park Ridge was inhabited by the Potawatomie until they were removed in 1833. The area was a convenient portage between the Des Plaines and Chicago rivers for the French explorers and in the early 1830s, the first settlers arrived from New England and New York. In 1854 George Penny established a brickworks in the area. In 1910 Park Ridge had a population of 2,009. In 1930 the population was 10,417. In 1950 the population was 16,602. In 1960 the population was 32,625, with 99.9% of the population white. There were five African-Americans and 31 people classed other than black or white. By 1970, the population had risen to 42,466.[6] In 2016, former First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton campaigned as the Democratic candidate for President of the United States. She was a graduate of the first class of Park Ridge's Maine Township High School South (1965).[7]

Enroll in the Right Cosmetology Training Program near Park Ridge IL

Park Ridge IL barber blow drying client's hairFinding and enrolling in the ideal beauty school is essential to obtain the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the responses you receive 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 academy and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start 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 choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Park Ridge IL.

Other Beautiful Locations in Illinois

  • Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Loves Park IL
  • Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Rolling Meadows IL
  • Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Gilman IL
  • Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Cicero IL
  • Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Clare IL
  • Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Nauvoo IL
  • Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Minonk IL
  • Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Loami IL
  • Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Carmi IL
  • Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Wolf Lake IL
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 88

    Aisha's Beauty Salon
    7 Reviews
    Hair Salons, Waxing, Skin Care
    Phone:
    1972 S River Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60018

    USA Natural Health Clinic
    14 Reviews
    Laser Hair Removal, Skin Care, Medical Spas
    Phone:
    5929 N Cicero Ave, Chicago, IL 60646

    Salon Ifko Skin and Hair Care
    7 Reviews
    Skin Care, Laser Hair Removal, Hair Salons
    Phone:
    5140 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60630

    All You Skincare Makeup
    3 Reviews
    Skin Care, Permanent Makeup
    Phone:
    801 Civic Center Dr, Unit 153, Niles, IL 60714

    Celeste Beauty
    61 Reviews
    Skin Care, Eyelash Service, Threading Services
    Phone:
    742 Sheridan Rd, Ste 3, Highwood, IL 60040

    Lucyna's Goldfingers Spa
    52 Reviews
    Skin Care, Nail Salons, Waxing
    Phone:
    401 W Prospect Ave, Mount Prospect, IL 60056

    Pro Skin by Afsan
    2 Reviews
    Skin Care, Waxing, Eyebrow Services
    Phone:
    1812 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201

    Gaia Evolution Spa and Salon
    6 Reviews
    Hair Salons, Skin Care, Reiki
    Phone:
    3143 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

    University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology Salon
    8 Reviews
    Skin Care
    Phone:
    1357 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

    Lanies Mobile Spa Services
    9 Reviews
    Waxing, Threading Services, Nail Technicians
    Phone:
    Chicago, IL 60659