How to Select a Cosmetologist College near Boaz Kentucky
Once you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Boaz KY, the process begins to find and enroll in the ideal school. It’s imperative that the program you pick not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be a little bit unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a little bit further regarding that in the upcoming segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Boaz home. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when assessing potential schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it’s not automatically the ideal choice. There are many other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as 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 discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are offered.
Definition of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more beautiful through the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be almost anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states mandate that you go through some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Boaz KY beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gotten experience and a client base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles and are employed in a wide variety of specialties including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As formerly stated, in the majority of states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those performing 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 become licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Degrees
There are essentially two avenues offered to obtain cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs typically take 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 instructed in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you wish to specialize in 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 Boaz KY business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you go with, it’s important to make sure that it’s certified by the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the benefits of accreditation for the school you decide on in the next section.
Online Cosmetology Classes
Online cosmetology classes are convenient for Boaz KY students who are working full-time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are many web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be attended via a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are typically fast paced since many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a significant portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same amount of material, but you’re not spending numerous hours away from your home or travelling to and from classes. However, it’s essential that the training program you choose can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Cosmetologist Schools
Below is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any cosmetology training program you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Boaz KY home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue 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 initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have compiled several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the cosmetology school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified 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 assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in 42027 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Boaz KY employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every beauty institute that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Boaz KY salon owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. Finally, contact the Kentucky 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, offering training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you select 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 aspiration is to start a hair salon in Boaz KY, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting cosmetology techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty academy provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So search for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a beauty program, it’s imperative that she or he receives support in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with Boaz KY businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which salons and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and identify 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 available to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an option until you learn what financial help may be provided.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Boaz KY?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Boaz KY area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Boaz, Kentucky
Boaz, KY is located in the northern part of Graves County, Kentucky in the Jackson Purchase Region. The zip code for the city is 42027 and covers only one city in one county with 552 square miles of land area and 5 square miles of water. The current population of Boaz is approximately 2,259 people with a total of 914 households. The average household contains two to three people with only 35% of households containing children. The median age of residents in the area is approximately 42 years old. The median income of residents is $44,329 with majority being blue-collar workers. The area code of the city is 270. Schools in the Boaz area are limited with Lowes Elementary and Symsonia Elementary being in the closest proximity and Graves County Middle School and Graves County High School being the main schools for the district. Over 53% of Boaz natives have at least some college or more. Other towns near Boaz include Folsomdale, Hickory, Lowes, Melber and Lone Oak. There are a total of 65 cities within a 30 miles range of Boaz. [1][2][3]
Find the Right Beauty Vocational School near Boaz KY
Locating and enrolling in the right cosmetologist college is important to receive the appropriate 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. Don’t forget to consolidate all of the responses you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the academy and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to begin your career as a professional cosmetologist in Boaz KY.
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