How to Enroll In a Cosmetologist College near Watseka Illinois
Once you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Watseka IL, the task begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It’s imperative that the program you pick not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We’ll speak a bit further concerning that in the following segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Watseka home. Tuition will also be an important factor when evaluating potential schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not always the ideal option. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are available.
What is Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human anatomy look more beautiful through the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but really a cosmetic can be anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you take some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Watseka IL beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gotten experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients either in their own residences or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many professional 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 previously mentioned, in most states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those offering 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 get licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Certificates and Degrees
There are basically two options offered to obtain cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward 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 trained in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you want to specialize in just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely incorporate management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Watseka IL business. Higher degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you choose, it’s important to make sure that it’s recognized by the Illinois Board of Cosmetology. Many states only approve schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the upcoming segment.
Online Beauty Courses
Online cosmetology schools are accommodating for Watseka IL students who are working full time and have family obligations that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based beauty school programs available that can be attended via a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty programs are often fast paced due to the fact that many programs are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a large portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not spending many hours outside of your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it’s vital that the training program you pick can provide internship training in local salons and parlors in order that you also get the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is available in your area.
What to Ask Cosmetologist Trade Schools
Following is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any cosmetologist training school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Watseka IL residence, together with the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you want 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 even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the School Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the cosmetology training program you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 60970 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 Watseka IL employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any cosmetology college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Watseka IL salon owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And last, check with the Illinois school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you enroll in 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 Watseka IL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Studying and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a beauty program furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. So try to find other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s essential that he or she gets assistance in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with Watseka IL businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which salons and establishments 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 beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn 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 offered to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an alternative before you find out what financial help may be available.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Watseka IL?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Watseka IL area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Watseka, Illinois
The Old Iroquois County Courthouse was constructed in 1866, with two additions built in 1881 and 1927. In the early 1960s, an Iroquois County resident, Mrs. Katherine Clifton, bequeathed to the county in her will a large sum of money and a site upon which to build a new courthouse. It is the only courthouse in the United States built entirely with private funds.
The old courthouse was advertised for sale and fell into disuse. In 1967, during the Centennial Celebration of Watseka, the Iroquois County Historical Society was organized, and circulated petitions throughout the county not to sell the Old Courthouse. The petitions were approved by the County Board of Supervisors, and the Old Courthouse re-opened as a museum that same year.[5] In 1975, the Old Courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[6]
Watseka is located near the center of Iroquois County, at the intersection of U.S. Route 24 and Illinois Route 1. The Iroquois River winds along the north side of the town and is joined by Sugar Creek on the west side of town. The south half of the town is in Belmont Township; the north half is in Middleport Township. According to the 2010 census, Watseka has a total area of 3.05 square miles (7.90 km2), all land.[7]
Enroll in the Right Beauty Program near Watseka IL
Selecting and enrolling in the right cosmetology program is imperative to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Don’t forget to compile all of the responses you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the academy and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Watseka IL.
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