How to Choose a Cosmetologist College near Waynesburg Kentucky
Now that you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Waynesburg KY, the task starts to find and enroll in the right school. It’s essential that the school you select not only provides the appropriate education for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. 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 essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll speak a bit more concerning that in the following segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Waynesburg residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when reviewing potential schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not automatically the best choice. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of training programs are offered.
Definition of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more beautiful through the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be almost anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you go through some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Waynesburg KY beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a client base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s home, 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 previously mentioned, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption. Only those offering more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Certificates and Degrees
There are essentially two avenues available to get cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, 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 available if you wish to focus on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also probably include management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Waynesburg KY business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you choose, it’s essential to make sure that it’s certified by the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, 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 programs are accommodating for Waynesburg KY students who are working full-time and have family commitments that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based beauty school programs offered that can be attended through a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are typically fast paced since many courses are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are covering the same volume of material, but you’re not spending many hours outside of your home or driving back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s vital that the training program you pick can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Cosmetology Schools
Following is a list of questions that you will want to research for any cosmetologist training program you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Waynesburg KY home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make certain that the cosmetology training program you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in 40489 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Waynesburg KY employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any cosmetology institute that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Waynesburg KY salon owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, contact the Kentucky school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you select a school that focuses on 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 well regarded for that program. If your vision is to start a hair salon in Waynesburg KY, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a beauty academy furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So try to find alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a cosmetology program, it’s crucial that he or she receives aid in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with Waynesburg KY businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Most cosmetology schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify 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 accessible to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an option until you learn what financial help may be offered.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Waynesburg KY?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Waynesburg KY area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Kentucky Route 328
Kentucky Route 328 (KY 328) is a 21.708-mile-long (34.936 km) state highway in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The highway connects mostly rural areas of Lincoln, Pulaski, and Rockcastle counties with Waynesburg.
KY 328 begins at an intersection with KY 70 southwest of Eubank, within Lincoln County. It travels to the west-northwest and curves to the north-northwest. It crosses over Pilot Creek and then curves to the north-northeast. The highway then travels to the northeast. At the southern terminus of Ike Singleton Road, it turns left, to the north-northwest. It curves to the north-northeast and then the east-northeast and enters Waynesburg, where it crosses over some railroad tracks of Norfolk Southern Railway and intersects the western terminus of KY 3276 (Old Waynesburg Road). KY 328 leaves the community and continues to the east-northeast to an intersection with KY 1247. The two highways begin a concurrency to the east. One block later, they turn right, to the south-southeast, onto U.S. Route 27 (US 27). This intersection is just west of Double Spring Cemetery. Approximately 2,000 feet (610 m) later, KY 328 and KY 1247 split off. About three blocks later, KY 328 turns left, to the east-northeast. It curves to the east-southeast and crosses over Caney Creek. After some twists and turns in an easterly direction, it enters Pulaski County.[1]
KY 328 heads to the east-southeast and curves to the east-northeast before it crosses over Buck Creek. It intersects the northern terminus of KY 865. It curves to the east-southeast and intersects KY 39. The two highways travel concurrently to the north-northwest. They enter Bee Lick, where they split. KY 328 turns right, to the east-northeast. Almost immediately, it enters Rockcastle County. It crosses over Bee Lick Creek again and then curves to the south-southeast. It intersects the northern terminus of KY 3273 (Owen School Road). The highway crosses over Brushy Creek and meets its eastern terminus, an intersection with KY 618 (Quail Road).[1][2]
Pick the Right Cosmetologist Program near Waynesburg KY
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal cosmetologist college is important to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the responses you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, 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 qualified to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Waynesburg KY.
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