Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Bondurant IA

How to Find the Right Cosmetologist College near Bondurant Iowa

nail technicians training at Bondurant IA beauty school Once you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Bondurant IA, the process begins to search for and enroll in the best school. It’s imperative that the school you select not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be somewhat puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll talk a bit further regarding that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Bondurant home. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when assessing potential schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it’s not always the ideal choice. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are available.

What is Cosmetology

Bondurant IA makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything 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. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be almost anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states mandate that you undergo some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Bondurant IA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a customer base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing customers either in their own residences or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many professional 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 already stated, in most states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees and Certificates

Bondurant IA hairdresser cutting hair There are primarily two avenues available to receive 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 call for 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate’s degree commonly takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in each of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you prefer to focus on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also probably feature management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Bondurant IA business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you decide on, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s recognized by the Iowa Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only approve schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the next section.

Online Cosmetology Classes

student attending cosmetology school online in Bondurant IA Online cosmetology programs are convenient for Bondurant IA students who are working full time and have family responsibilities that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous online beauty school programs available that can be accessed via a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology programs are often fast paced given that 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 programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or travelling 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 in order that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to obtain the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Beauty Training Programs

Questions to ask Bondurant IA beauty schools Following is a series of questions that you should look into for any cosmetology training school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Bondurant IA residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your initial 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 should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the cosmetology training program you enroll in 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in 50035 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Bondurant IA 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 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 starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Bondurant IA salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the Iowa school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important 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 well regarded for that program. If your dream is to start a hair salon in Bondurant IA, 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 poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you need.

Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty academy offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So search for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a beauty program, it’s important that she or he gets assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with Bondurant IA employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Available? Almost all cosmetology schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Consult with 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 accessible to students too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an alternative until you find out what financial help may be available.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Bondurant IA?

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

Bondurant, Iowa

Bondurant is a city in Polk County, Iowa, United States. The population was 3,860 in the 2010 census, an increase of 109% from the 1,846 population in the 2000 census.[5][6] It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Bondurant was founded in 1884. In 1892, the Chicago Great Western Railway built the Bondurant railway station.[7] Bondurant incorporated as a city on December 23, 1897.[8] The city was named for Alexander C. Bondurant, who was the area's first settler in 1857.[9]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.40 square miles (21.76 km2), of which, 8.38 square miles (21.70 km2) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km2) is water.[2]

Choose the Right Cosmetologist Program near Bondurant IA

Bondurant IA barber blow drying client's hair Choosing and enrolling in the ideal cosmetologist college is important to get the proper 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. Be sure to collect 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 sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Bondurant IA.