How to Pick a Cosmetologist College near Columbus Junction Iowa
Now that you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Columbus Junction IA, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It’s imperative that the program you choose not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be somewhat unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a little bit further concerning that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Columbus Junction residence. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when assessing possible schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it’s not necessarily the right option. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of training programs are available.
What is Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human anatomy look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you undergo some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Columbus Junction IA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gotten experience and a client base, open their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles 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 stated, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exception. Only those offering more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Certificates and Degrees
There are basically two avenues offered to receive cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs generally require 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 all of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you prefer to focus on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely feature management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Columbus Junction 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 go with, it’s essential to make sure that it’s recognized by the Iowa Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the following segment.
Online Cosmetologist Classes
Online beauty schools are advantageous for Columbus Junction IA students who are employed full-time and have family responsibilities that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended through a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are typically fast paced because many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a considerable amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you are not spending numerous hours outside of your home or driving to and from classes. However, it’s imperative that the school you select can provide internship training in local salons and parlors to ensure that you also get the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to gain the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is provided in your area.
What to Ask Cosmetologist Degree Programs
Below is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any cosmetologist training program you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Columbus Junction IA home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have collected several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make sure 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in 52738 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Columbus Junction IA businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each cosmetology institute that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good 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. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Columbus Junction IA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. Finally, check with the Iowa school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing 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 essential that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your intention 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 Columbus Junction 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 require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining cosmetology skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a beauty academy furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. So search for other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a cosmetology program, it’s imperative that she or he gets aid in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develope relationships with Columbus Junction IA employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which salons and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? The majority of beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Talk to 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 as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an option until you find out what financial assistance may be provided.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Columbus Junction IA?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Columbus Junction IA area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Columbus Junction, Iowa
Columbus Junction is home of the historic 'Swinging Bridge' found one block south of Highway 92 near downtown. Columbus Community School District serving Columbus Junction, Columbus City, Fredonia, Cotter, Conesville the surrounding townships is located in Columbus Junction. The city's largest employer is a Tyson pork processing plant located just north of the city on Highway 70.
Columbus Junction began as Clifton. The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad built an east-west line through the area in 1858, with a station at Clifton. When the north-south Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Minnesota Railway was built, in 1870, it crossed the Rock Island at Clifton. The first BCR&M train arrived on Feb. 7, 1870, and the first local business opened the next day, a restaurant and boarding house, in a building moved by rail from Muscatine, Iowa. Just a month later, the town was platted. Columbus City, Iowa had already been established before the railroads came through, and both the Rock Island and the BCR&M had missed Columbus City by over a mile. As both Columbus City and Township had invested in the latter line, they were permitted to name the new town, so it became Columbus Junction.[4]
Columbus Junction is located at 41°16′42″N 91°21′45″W / 41.27833°N 91.36250°W / 41.27833; -91.36250 (41.278414, -91.362466),[5] between the cities of Columbus City and Fredonia. It lies at the confluence of two rivers, the Iowa and the Cedar. The terrain is characterized by hills and ravines which is reflected in a street layout that includes few square blocks and through streets.
Pick the Right Cosmetologist Program near Columbus Junction IA
Selecting and enrolling in the right cosmetologist college is important to receive the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Don’t forget to collect all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Columbus Junction IA.
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