How to Choose a Beauty College near Saint Joseph Illinois
Since you have decided to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Saint Joseph IL, the task begins to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It’s important that the school you select not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial 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 basically interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a bit further concerning that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Saint Joseph residence. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when evaluating potential schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not always the ideal choice. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as 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 little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are available.
What is Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human anatomy look more attractive through the application of cosmetics. So naturally 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 term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic may be anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states require that you take some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Saint Joseph IL beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a client base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing customers either in their own residences or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many titles and work 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 certain states there is an exemption. Only those offering more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Degrees
There are essentially two pathways offered 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 usually call for 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate’s degree ordinarily takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you prefer to specialize in just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also likely feature management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Saint Joseph IL business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you choose, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s recognized by the Illinois Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only approve schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the next segment.
Online Cosmetologist Schools
Online cosmetology schools are accommodating for Saint Joseph IL students who are working full time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of online cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are typically fast paced because many courses are as short as six or eight months. This means that a large portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours away from your home or commuting back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s imperative that the school you choose can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors in order that you also get the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to obtain the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.
What to Ask Beauty Schools
Below is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any cosmetologist training school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Saint Joseph IL home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the School Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the cosmetology school you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in 61873 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Saint Joseph IL employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every beauty college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Saint Joseph IL salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And last, 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 Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you choose a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your goal is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to start a hair salon in Saint Joseph 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 weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques requires lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty program furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s important that he or she gets assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develope relationships with Saint Joseph IL businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering 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 affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 available to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an option until you learn what financial aid may be available.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Saint Joseph IL?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Saint Joseph IL area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
St. Joseph, Illinois
According to the 2010 census, St. Joseph has a total area of 2.14 square miles (5.54 km2), of which 2.12 square miles (5.49 km2) (or 99.07%) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km2) (or 0.93%) is water.[4]
As of the census[6] of 2004, there were 3,900 people, 2,014 households, and 1,002 families residing in the village. The population density was 3,024.3 people per square mile (995.0/km²). There were 1,157 housing units at an average density of 1,022.0 per square mile (395.3/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 98.90% White, 0.10% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.24% from other races, and 0.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.86% of the population.
There were 1,125 households out of which 40.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.4% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.8% were non-families. 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.03.
Select the Right Cosmetologist School near Saint Joseph IL
Finding and enrolling in the right beauty college is essential to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the responses you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Saint Joseph IL.
Other Beautiful Locations in Illinois
Business Results 1 - 10 of 0
