How to Select a Cosmetologist College near Zeigler Illinois
Now that you have decided to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Zeigler IL, the task begins to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It’s important that the program you pick not only furnishes the proper instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be rather confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We’ll talk a bit further regarding that in the next segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Zeigler home. Tuition will also be a critical factor when reviewing potential schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not necessarily the ideal option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are available.
Defining Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more beautiful through the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but really 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, the majority of states require that you go through some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Zeigler IL beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a clientele, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many names and are employed in a wide range of specializations including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As formerly mentioned, in most states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption. Only those conducting more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Degrees and Certificates
There are primarily two avenues offered to obtain cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs generally require 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 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 likely feature management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Zeigler IL business. Higher degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you choose, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s certified by the Illinois Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only certify schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the upcoming section.
Online Cosmetologist Courses
Online beauty programs are accommodating for Zeigler IL students who are working full time and have family commitments that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based beauty school programs available that can be attended by means of a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are typically fast paced because many programs are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are covering the same volume of material, but you are not devoting many hours away from your home or driving to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s important that the training program you choose can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to obtain the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So make sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Cosmetologist Programs
Following is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any cosmetologist training program you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Zeigler IL home, as well as the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have put together some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make sure 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in 62999 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Zeigler IL employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any cosmetologist institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references 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 regarded. Check rating services for reviews together with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Zeigler IL salon owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. Finally, contact 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? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you decide on a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your ambition is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to launch a hair salon in Zeigler IL, then you want 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 seeking will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting cosmetology techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a beauty academy furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. So look for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a cosmetology school, it’s important that she or he gets assistance in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with Zeigler IL businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Almost all cosmetology schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an option until you determine what financial assistance may be provided.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Zeigler IL?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Zeigler IL area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Zeigler, Illinois
Zeigler is located in southwestern Franklin County at 37°53′59″N 89°3′12″W / 37.89972°N 89.05333°W / 37.89972; -89.05333 (37.899856, -89.053429).[4]Illinois Route 149 passes through the center of town, leading east 7.5 miles (12.1 km) to West Frankfort and west 4 miles (6 km) to Royalton. Interstate 57 is 6 miles (10 km) east of Zeigler via Route 149. Illinois Route 148 follows the western border of Zeigler, leading north 5 miles (8 km) to Christopher and south 7 miles (11 km) to Herrin.
According to the 2010 census, Zeigler has a total area of 1.357 square miles (3.51 km2), of which 1.35 square miles (3.50 km2) (or 99.48%) is land and 0.007 square miles (0.02 km2) (or 0.52%) is water.[5]
As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 1,669 people, 712 households, and 439 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,940.8 people per square mile (749.3/km²). There were 809 housing units at an average density of 940.8/sq mi (363.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.86% White, 0.18% African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.12% Asian, and 0.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.48% of the population.
Select the Right Cosmetology College near Zeigler IL
Picking and enrolling in the ideal cosmetologist program is imperative to receive the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Zeigler IL.
Other Beautiful Locations in Illinois
Business Results 1 - 10 of 1
6 Reviews 