How to Choose a Beauty School near Port Royal Kentucky
Once you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Port Royal KY, the task begins to find and enroll in the ideal school. It’s imperative that the school you choose not only provides the proper training for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be a little bit unclear 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 little bit more regarding that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Port Royal residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when evaluating potential schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not necessarily the best choice. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are offered.
What is 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 actually 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, the majority of states require that you go through some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Port Royal KY beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a client base, open their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many professional names and are employed in a wide variety of specializations including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As formerly stated, in most states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Degrees and Certificates
There are essentially two options available to get cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs normally require 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 trained in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you wish to focus on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also likely include management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Port Royal KY business. More advanced degrees are not common, 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 recognized by the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you decide on in the upcoming segment.
Online Cosmetology Programs
Online cosmetology classes are accommodating for Port Royal KY students who are working full-time and have family commitments that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many web-based beauty school programs offered that can be accessed by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are often fast paced given that many courses are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a substantial portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you’re not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or travelling back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s imperative that the program you pick can provide internship training in area salons and parlors in order that you also receive the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to acquire the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.
Questions to Ask Cosmetology Programs
Following is a series of questions that you need to look into for any cosmetology training school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Port Royal KY home, in addition to the cost 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 reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make certain that the cosmetology training program you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, 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 superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in 40058 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Port Royal KY employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each cosmetology school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Port Royal KY salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. Finally, check with the Kentucky school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you choose a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your ambition is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your desire is to launch a hair salon in Port Royal KY, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and refining cosmetology skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty academy provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for developing your skills. So look for other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s crucial that she or he receives aid in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with Port Royal KY businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an alternative until you determine what financial help may be provided.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Port Royal KY?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Port Royal KY area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Kentucky Route 193
Kentucky Route 193 (KY 193) is a 9.578-mile-long (15.414 km) state highway in Henry County, Kentucky, that runs from U.S. Route 421 (US 421) and KY 55 north of New Castle to KY 389 northeast of Port Royal via Port Royal.
Choose the Right Beauty School near Port Royal KY
Finding and enrolling in the ideal beauty school is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the responses you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are ready to start your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Port Royal KY.
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