How to Choose a Cosmetologist College near Saint Catharine Kentucky
Now that you have decided to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Saint Catharine KY, the process starts to search for and enroll in the right school. It’s imperative that the program you choose not only furnishes the proper instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be somewhat puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a little bit further about that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Saint Catharine home. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when assessing potential schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not necessarily the right choice. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are offered.
Defining Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human anatomy look more beautiful through the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic may be anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you undergo some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Saint Catharine KY beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gotten experience and a customer base, open their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing customers either in their own residences or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many names 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 earlier mentioned, in most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those offering more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Degrees
There are basically two options available 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 call for 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 instructed in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you wish to focus on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also probably incorporate management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Saint Catharine KY business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you go with, it’s essential to make certain that it’s recognized by the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only approve schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the next section.
Online Beauty Schools
Online beauty classes are advantageous for Saint Catharine KY students who are employed full-time and have family responsibilities that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended via a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are often fast paced since many programs are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a substantial portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it’s important that the school you pick can provide internship training in area salons and parlors in order that you also obtain the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to gain the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.
Questions to Ask Beauty Programs
Following is a series of questions that you need to research for any cosmetologist training program you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Saint Catharine KY residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the cosmetology school you enroll in 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in 40061 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Saint Catharine KY businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good 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 references 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 demanded. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Saint Catharine KY salon owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not considered. Finally, consult the Kentucky school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently 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 goal 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 open a hair salon in Saint Catharine KY, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a beauty school offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. So try to find other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s crucial that she or he receives assistance in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with Saint Catharine KY businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which salons and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad 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 considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn 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 available to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative before you learn what financial help may be offered.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Saint Catharine KY?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Saint Catharine KY area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
St. Catharine College
St. Catharine College was a small Roman Catholic liberal arts college located near Springfield, Kentucky in the United States. The college was formerly accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and had a peak enrollment of 750 students.[1]
St. Catharine College traced its roots to classes held in a "still house" in the early 1800s.[4] In 1839, the Kentucky Sisters of St. Dominic obtained a charter to grant educational degrees and a campus was built along Bardstown Road, today's U.S. Route 150.
In 1920, the state amended the school's charter to give it the authority to found colleges and grant collegiate degrees.[4] In 1931, the school was re-dedicated as St. Catharine College, a women's academy and junior college.
Find the Right Cosmetologist Training Program near Saint Catharine KY
Locating and enrolling in the right cosmetologist college is important to get the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the responses you get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Saint Catharine KY.
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