How to Find the Right Beauty College near Lacombe Louisiana
Since you have decided to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Lacombe LA, the process begins to find and enroll in the right school. It’s imperative that the school you select not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you might be somewhat unclear about the distinction 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 bit more concerning that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Lacombe residence. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when reviewing possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not automatically the ideal choice. There are many other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are available.
What is Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more attractive through the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are referred to 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 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 type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Lacombe LA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a customer base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers 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 work in a wide range of specialties including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As previously stated, in most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those offering more skilled services, for instance 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.
Cosmetologist Degrees and Certificates
There are basically two options offered to obtain 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 take 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 major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you prefer to focus on just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Lacombe LA business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you go with, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s approved by the Louisiana Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only approve schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the following segment.
Online Beauty Courses
Online beauty schools are accommodating for Lacombe LA students who are employed full time and have family commitments that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed via a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are frequently fast paced because many programs are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are covering the same volume of material, but you’re not devoting many hours outside of your home or driving 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 in order that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to acquire the skills needed to work in any area 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 Cosmetologist Training Classes
Following is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any beauty training school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Lacombe LA home, as well as the cost of tuition, will probably 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 options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the School Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the cosmetology college you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified 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 assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in 70445 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Lacombe LA businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each beauty school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Lacombe LA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. Finally, consult the Louisiana school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your goal is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your desire is to launch a hair salon in Lacombe LA, 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 poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting cosmetology techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a beauty school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. So look for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a beauty program, it’s important that she or he receives assistance in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with Lacombe LA businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out 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 extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Many beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an alternative before you determine what financial assistance may be offered.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Lacombe LA?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Lacombe LA area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Lacombe, Louisiana
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 27.5 square miles (71.2 km2), of which 26.4 square miles (68.5 km2) is land and 1.0 square mile (2.7 km2), or 3.86%, is water.[3]
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 7,518 people, 2,757 households, and 2,059 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 281.4 people per square mile (108.6/km²). There were 3,119 housing units at an average density of 116.7 per square mile (45.1/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 69.15% White, 25.31% African American, 1.60% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.36% from other races, and 2.21% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.58% of the population.
There were 2,757 households out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.3% were non-families. 20.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.09.
Choose the Right Beauty Training Program near Lacombe LA
Picking and enrolling in the right cosmetology program is imperative to get the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to organize all of the information you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. 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 proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Lacombe LA.
Other Beautiful Locations in Louisiana
Business Results 1 - 10 of 2
1 Reviews 
135 Reviews 