How to Choose a Cosmetologist College near Putnamville Indiana
Now that you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Putnamville IN, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It’s imperative that the school you pick not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be rather puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a bit more concerning that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Putnamville home. Tuition will also be a critical factor when assessing potential schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not always the ideal option. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding 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.
What is Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful with the use 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 word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic may be almost anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states mandate that you go through some kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Putnamville IN beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gotten experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin 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 specializations 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 a few states there is an exception. Only those offering more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Degrees and Certificates
There are basically two options available to obtain 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 usually take 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. Briefer programs are offered if you want to concentrate on just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Putnamville IN business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you go with, it’s important to make sure that it’s approved by the Indiana Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the following segment.
Online Cosmetology Training
Online cosmetology classes are accommodating for Putnamville IN students who are working full time and have family responsibilities that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of online cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended through a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are typically fast paced given 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 courses, you are covering the same volume of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or driving to and from classes. However, it’s essential that the training program you choose can provide internship training in local salons and parlors in order that you also receive the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible 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 confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
What to Ask Cosmetologist Trade Schools
Below is a series of questions that you need to look into for any beauty training school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Putnamville IN residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have compiled several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the cosmetology college you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in 46170 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 Putnamville IN employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any beauty college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements 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 sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Putnamville IN salon owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And last, contact the Indiana school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your objective is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to launch a hair salon in Putnamville IN, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering cosmetology skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a beauty program furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So try to find other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a cosmetology academy, it’s imperative that she or he gets assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with Putnamville IN businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which salons and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Most beauty schools provide 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 might get approved 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 satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an option until you find out what financial help may be offered.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Putnamville IN?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Putnamville IN area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Putnamville Correctional Facility
The Putnamville Correctional Facility, located in Warren Township, Putnam County, near Greencastle, Indiana, is a medium-security prison for men located on 4,350 acres (17.6 km2) in Putnam County, Indiana (the west-central part of the state, near U.S. Routes 231 and 40).[1] It currently houses approximately 2,400 inmates. Established in 1914, the prison was known for nearly 70 years as the Indiana State Farm. Inmates, nearly all of whom were serving time for minor offenses, worked in the prison's extensive farm and dairy operations.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s the facility was divided, with laundry and mess areas located near the complex of dormitories on a hill overlooking "the pit", the brickyard west of the dorms and far below. The residents were mainly of non-violent nature, serving no more than one year.
The Brick Yard (also known as Gladiator School) was a half-mile walk to the shovels, wheelbarrows and sledges. The dome-shaped brick kilns would be fired to bake the bricks, which were removed with propane-powered forklifts. Lift drivers did the dangerous job of manipulating the hot skids of brick out of the eight-foot arched doorway, bending over the steering wheel to avoid injury from the small entrance.
Pick the Right Beauty College near Putnamville IN
Choosing and enrolling in the right cosmetologist college is imperative to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, 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 examination, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your career as a professional cosmetologist in Putnamville IN.
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