How to Find the Right Cosmetology College near Lone Tree Iowa
Now that you have decided to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Lone Tree IA, the process starts to find and enroll in the best school. It’s essential that the program you pick not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be a little bit puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll speak a bit further about that in the upcoming segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Lone Tree residence. Tuition will also be an important aspect when evaluating prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not necessarily the right option. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are available.
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 many cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states mandate that you undergo some kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Lone Tree IA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a customer base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing customers either in their own residences or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many titles and are employed in a wide range of specialties including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As already stated, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those performing more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Degrees
There are essentially two avenues offered to obtain cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs normally take 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 all of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you prefer to specialize in just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also likely incorporate management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Lone Tree IA business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you go with, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s recognized by the Iowa Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only approve schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the next section.
Online Beauty Schools
Online beauty schools are advantageous for Lone Tree IA students who are employed full time and have family obligations that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are many online cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are frequently fast paced since many programs 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 dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours away from your home or travelling to and from classes. However, it’s imperative that the program you select can provide internship training in area 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 needed to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is available in your area.
What to Ask Beauty Trade Schools
Below is a list of questions that you should investigate for any cosmetologist training program you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Lone Tree IA home, in addition to the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial 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 supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the cosmetology college you select 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 measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 52755 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Lone Tree IA businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every beauty college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Lone Tree IA salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And last, 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 Focus? 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 instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you decide on 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 respected for that program. If your desire is to launch a hair salon in Lone Tree IA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting cosmetology techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty program provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a cosmetology school, it’s essential that she or he gets assistance in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help develope relationships with Lone Tree IA businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which salons and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most cosmetology schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an alternative before you learn what financial aid may be offered.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Lone Tree IA?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Lone Tree IA area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Lone Tree, Iowa
Lone Tree was platted by John W. Jayne in 1872.[4] Lone Tree derives its name from a giant elm that grew nearby in the pioneer era and served as a prairie landmark.[5] This elm stood on a slight hill south of town. Local legend has it that the tree was so large, buffalo grazed under its expansive branches. It escaped prairie fires because of the lack of grass around the tree. The tree succumbed to the Dutch Elm disease of the 1960s, although valiant efforts were made to save it. The wood from the tree was used to make a sign denoting the tree's home on the hill southeast of the city limits.
The town had a moment of horrific infamy during the economic crisis of the 1980s. On December 9, 1985 a local farmer, Dale Burr, became distraught over his growing debt. He shot his wife Emily in their home. He then went to Hills Bank & Trust in the neighboring town of Hills and attempted to cash a check and when rebuffed, returned with a shotgun and killed bank president John Hughes. Next on his list was his neighbor Richard Goody, who had recently won a court settlement against Burr's son. When pulled over by Johnson County sheriff's, Burr shot himself fatally.[6] The story was captured in Bruce Brown's book, Lone Tree.
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 1,300 people, 505 households, and 335 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,250.0 inhabitants per square mile (482.6/km2). There were 539 housing units at an average density of 518.3 per square mile (200.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.8% White, 0.7% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 1.7% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.0% of the population.
Pick the Right Cosmetologist Program near Lone Tree IA
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal cosmetology school is essential to receive the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to organize all of the responses you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer 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 test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Lone Tree IA.
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