How to Pick a Cosmetology School near Prospect Kentucky
Once you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Prospect KY, the task begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It’s essential that the school you select not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be rather puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a bit more regarding that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Prospect home. Tuition will additionally be an important consideration when assessing possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not always the right choice. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are offered.
Definition of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human anatomy look more attractive through the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states require that you undergo some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Prospect KY beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a clientele, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients either in their own residences or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles and work 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 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. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Certificates and Degrees
There are essentially two pathways offered to get 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 call for 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 each of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you want to specialize in just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also likely include management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Prospect KY business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you go with, it’s essential to make sure that it’s approved by the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the following section.
Online Beauty Schools
Online beauty schools are convenient for Prospect KY students who are working full-time and have family obligations that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based beauty school programs available that can be attended through a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty schools are typically fast paced since many programs are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a considerable amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or commuting back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s imperative that the school you choose can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
What to Ask Cosmetologist Training Courses
Below is a list of questions that you should research for any cosmetology training program you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Prospect KY home, as well as the expense of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the School Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the cosmetology training program you enroll in 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 comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in 40059 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Prospect KY businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any cosmetologist college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Prospect KY salon owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, check with the Kentucky school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you select 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 dream is to launch a hair salon in Prospect KY, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting 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 classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty academy furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a cosmetology school, it’s essential that he or she gets support in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with Prospect KY employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded 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 department. Consult with a counselor and learn 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 accessible to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an option before you learn what financial help may be available.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Prospect KY?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Prospect KY area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Prospect, Kentucky
Prospect is a home rule-class city[2] in Jefferson and Oldham counties in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The Jefferson County portion is a part of the Louisville Metro government. The population was 4,698 at the time 2010 census.[3] It is one of the wealthiest communities in Kentucky.
The area was first known as "Sand Hill" when it was settled by farmers in the late 18th century. The present community grew up around the "Prospect" railroad station erected by the Louisville, Harrods Creek and Westport Railway c. 1872. The name referred either to the view from the top of the hill or the expected completion of the line (which – owing to the Long Depression – never did reach Westport and collapsed into bankruptcy in 1879). When the post office was established in 1886, the local postmaster named it "Wilhoyte" in his own honor, but the community corrected this within the month.[4]
Although a few luxury residences existed in the area from the late 19th century and the Louisville Railway Company offered hourly electrified-rail trolleys along the former LHC&W line after 1904,[5] it was largely agricultural until the mid-1960s when large, high-end subdivisions were built in the area, most notably Hunting Creek, which included a golf course. Prospect incorporated as a city in 1974.
Find the Right Beauty Program near Prospect KY
Choosing and enrolling in the right cosmetologist program is essential to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the academy and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, 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 exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional cosmetologist in Prospect KY.
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