Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Wheaton IL

How to Find the Right Cosmetologist College near Wheaton Illinois

nail technicians training at Wheaton IL beauty schoolSince you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Wheaton IL, the process begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It’s important that the program you pick not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be rather 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 speak a bit more about that in the upcoming section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Wheaton residence. Tuition will also be a critical factor when reviewing possible 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 examine what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are offered.

Definition of Cosmetology

Wheaton IL makeup ar4tist applying makeupCosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human anatomy look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states require that you go through some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Wheaton IL beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gotten experience and a client base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have 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 formerly stated, in most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption. Only those performing more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Degrees and Certificates

Wheaton IL hairdresser cutting hairThere are basically two pathways offered to get cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs normally take 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree commonly takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in each of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you wish 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 operate a parlor or other Wheaton IL business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you go with, it’s essential to make sure that it’s certified by the Illinois Board of Cosmetology. Many states only approve schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the following segment.

Online Cosmetology Programs

student attending cosmetology school online in Wheaton ILOnline beauty schools are advantageous for Wheaton 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 attended via a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are frequently fast paced due to the fact that many programs are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours away from your home or driving back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s vital that the program you choose can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors in order that you also get the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to obtain the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetologist Training Courses

Questions to ask Wheaton IL beauty schoolsFollowing is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any beauty training school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Wheaton IL residence, together with the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first 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 choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make certain that the cosmetology school 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 guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in 60187 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Wheaton IL employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Any beauty college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Wheaton IL salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And finally, contact the Illinois school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your intention 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 vision is to launch a hair salon in Wheaton IL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you require.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided?  Studying and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So look for other schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from a cosmetology school, it’s imperative that he or she gets assistance in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with Wheaton IL employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  Many cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible 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 assistance may be available.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Wheaton IL?

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

Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton is a suburban city in Milton and Winfield Townships and is the county seat of DuPage County, Illinois.[4] It is located approximately 30 miles (48 km) west of Chicago. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 52,894,[5] which was estimated to have increased to 53,469 by July 2012.[6]

The city dates its founding to the period between 1831 and 1837, following the Indian Removal Act, when Alex Tomasik laid claim to 790 acres (320 ha) of land near present-day Warrenville.[7][8] The Wheaton brothers arrived from Connecticut, and in 1837, Warren L. Wheaton laid claim to 640 acres (260 ha) of land in the center of town. Jesse Wheaton later made claim to 300 acres (120 ha) of land just west of Warren's.[8][9] It was not long before other settlers from New England joined them in the community. In 1848, they gave the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad three miles (5 km) of right-of-way, upon which railroad officials named the depot Wheaton.[7][9] In 1850, ten blocks of land were platted and anyone who was willing to build immediately was granted free land. In 1853, the lots were surveyed and a formal plat for the community was filed with the county. The community was then incorporated as a village on February 24, 1859, with Warren serving as its first President.[10] The village was later incorporated as a city on April 24, 1890, when the first mayor of the city was selected, Judge Elbert Gary, son of Erastus Gary and founder of Gary, Indiana.[10]

In 1857, the Illinois state legislature authorized an election to be held to decide the question of whether the DuPage county seat should remain in Naperville or be moved to the more centrally located Wheaton, which was on the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad. Naperville won the election by a vote of 1,542 to 762. Hostility between the two towns continued for the next decade and another election was held in 1867, in which Wheaton narrowly won by a vote of 1,686 to 1,635. At a cost of $20,000, the City of Wheaton quickly built a courthouse to house a courtroom, county offices, and a county jail. The building was dedicated on July 4, 1868.[11]

Enroll in the Right Beauty Program near Wheaton IL

Wheaton IL barber blow drying client's hairChoosing and enrolling in the ideal cosmetologist program is imperative to receive the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to organize 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 reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional cosmetologist in Wheaton IL.

Other Beautiful Locations in Illinois

  • Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Flossmoor IL
  • Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Downers Grove IL
  • Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Paloma IL
  • Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Thomasboro IL
  • Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Wilmington IL
  • Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Maroa IL
  • Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Biggsville IL
  • Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Kilbourne IL
  • Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Troy Grove IL
  • Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools New Lenox IL
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 52

    Val's Sunny Shears
    4 Reviews
    Hair Salons, Waxing, Nail Salons
    Phone:
    127 N Main St, Wheaton, IL 60187

    Eco Green Beauty
    4 Reviews
    Skin Care, Spray Tanning, Massage
    Phone:
    801 A Plainfield Rd, Ste 16, Darien, IL 60561

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

    Pure Bloom Skincare
    1 Reviews
    Skin Care, Waxing, Eyebrow Services
    Phone:
    219 55th St, Ste 102, Clarendon Hills, IL 60514

    SpaBlu Facial & Waxing
    33 Reviews
    Skin Care, Waxing, Makeup Artists
    Phone:
    104 W St Charles Rd, Fl 2, Lombard, IL 60148

    Refined Beauty
    5 Reviews
    Makeup Artists, Hair Salons, Waxing
    Phone:
    3340 Lacrosse Ln, Ste 112, Naperville, IL 60564

    Bohemian Lash Lounge
    8 Reviews
    Eyelash Service, Waxing
    Phone:
    219 W 55th St, Ste 102, Clarendon Hills, IL 60514

    Delicacy Beauty Salon
    34 Reviews
    Skin Care, Makeup Artists, Waxing
    Phone:
    18W421 Roosevelt Rd, Lombard, IL 60148

    Anu Spa & Salon
    1 Reviews
    Waxing, Skin Care, Threading Services
    Phone:
    561 S Route59, Salon En Bleu, Aurora, IL 60504

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