How to Pick a Cosmetology College near Taylor Springs Illinois
Once you have decided to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Taylor Springs IL, the process starts to locate and enroll in the best school. It’s important that the program you select not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be somewhat confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a little bit further regarding that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Taylor Springs home. Tuition will additionally be an important consideration when assessing potential schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not necessarily the best choice. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are offered.
Definition of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more beautiful with the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states mandate that you take some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Taylor Springs IL beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a client base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many names and are employed in a wide range of specialties including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As earlier mentioned, in most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those offering 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 be licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Degrees and Certificates
There are essentially two options offered to obtain cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs normally require 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 available if you wish 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 operate a salon or other Taylor Springs IL business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you opt for, it’s important to make certain that it’s approved by the Illinois Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the upcoming section.
Online Cosmetologist Training
Online beauty classes are convenient for Taylor Springs IL students who are employed full time and have family commitments that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous online beauty school programs available that can be accessed via a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are often fast paced given that many courses are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a large portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same volume of material, but you’re not spending many hours away from your home or driving to and from classes. However, it’s vital that the program you choose can provide internship training in local 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 obtain the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Cosmetologist Training Programs
Below is a list of questions that you should look into for any beauty training school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Taylor Springs IL home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue 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 must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have put together several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the cosmetology training program you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified 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 quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in 62089 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Taylor Springs IL employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every beauty college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Taylor Springs IL salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And finally, contact the Illinois school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you choose a school that focuses on 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 dream is to open a hair salon in Taylor Springs IL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting cosmetology techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So search for other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a cosmetology school, it’s crucial that he or she receives aid in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develope relationships with Taylor Springs IL employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? The majority of beauty schools offer 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 find out what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an alternative before you find out what financial help may be offered.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Taylor Springs IL?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Taylor Springs IL area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Taylor Springs, Illinois
According to the 2010 census, Taylor Springs has a total area of 1.033 square miles (2.68 km2), of which 1 square mile (2.59 km2) (or 96.81%) is land and 0.033 square miles (0.09 km2) (or 3.19%) is water.[4]
As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 583 people, 250 households, and 162 families residing in the village. The population density was 677.1 people per square mile (261.7/km²). There were 264 housing units at an average density of 306.6 per square mile (118.5/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 98.80% White, 0.17% Native American, 0.69% from other races, and 0.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.03% of the population.
There were 250 households out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.4% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.8% were non-families. 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.91.
Find the Right Beauty Training Program near Taylor Springs IL
Finding and enrolling in the ideal beauty program is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the information you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Taylor Springs IL.
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