Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Riverside IL

How to Find the Right Cosmetology School near Riverside Illinois

nail technicians training at Riverside IL beauty school Now that you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Riverside IL, the task starts to find and enroll in the best school. It’s important that the program you select not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be rather unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a little bit more regarding that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Riverside residence. Tuition will also be an important aspect when assessing potential schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not necessarily the best choice. There are many other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are offered.

What is Cosmetology

Riverside IL makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human anatomy look more attractive through the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states require that you undergo some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Riverside IL beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gotten experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many titles and work 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 must be licensed. In certain states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Degrees

Riverside IL hairdresser cutting hair There are essentially two pathways offered to get 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 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 instructed in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you prefer 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 parlor or other Riverside IL business. Higher degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you decide on, it’s important to make certain that it’s approved by the Illinois Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the next segment.

Online Beauty Programs

student attending cosmetology school online in Riverside IL Online cosmetology schools are accommodating for Riverside IL students who are working full time and have family obligations that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are many online cosmetology school programs offered that can be accessed by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are often fast paced because many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a considerable portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are covering the same volume of material, but you’re not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it’s imperative that the training program you pick can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to obtain the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetology Training Courses

Questions to ask Riverside IL beauty schools Below is a list of questions that you need to look into for any cosmetologist training school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Riverside IL home, as well as the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make certain that the cosmetology college you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in 60546 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Riverside IL employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each beauty institute that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent 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. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Riverside IL salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, consult the Illinois school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you enroll in 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 well regarded for that program. If your desire is to open a hair salon in Riverside IL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you require.

Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty academy provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a cosmetology academy, it’s essential that he or she gets help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with Riverside IL employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which salons and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Many cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify 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 expense, do not drop it as an option until you learn what financial assistance may be provided.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Riverside IL?

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

North Riverside, Illinois

As of the 2010 census, there were 6,672 people, 2,827 households, and 1,746 families living in the village. The population density was 4,068.3 people per square mile (1,588.6/km²). There were 2,981 housing units at an average density of 1,817.7 per square mile (709.8/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 81.2% White, 6.5% African American, 0.1% Native American, 2.1% Asian, 8.1% some other race, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 23.8% of the population.[3]

At the 2010 census there were 2,827 households, out of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.0% were headed by married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.2% were non-families. 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.2% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34, and the average family size was 3.02.[3]

In the village, the population was spread out with 20.8% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 20.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.3 males.[3]

Find the Right Beauty Training Program near Riverside IL

Riverside IL barber blow drying client's hair Finding and enrolling in the ideal cosmetology program is important to receive the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Don’t forget to organize all of the responses you get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to begin your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Riverside IL.