How to Select a Cosmetology School near Anson Maine
Now that you have decided to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Anson ME, the task begins to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It’s imperative that the school you pick not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be a little bit confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a little bit more about that in the following section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Anson residence. Tuition will also be an important aspect when assessing potential schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not necessarily the right choice. There are many 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 looking at later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are available.
Defining Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human anatomy look more beautiful with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be almost anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states mandate that you go through some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Anson ME beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a client base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles and are employed in a wide range of specialties including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As formerly stated, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Degrees and Certificates
There are essentially two avenues offered 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 generally call for 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree ordinarily takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in each of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you want to specialize in just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also likely include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Anson ME business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you opt for, it’s essential to make sure that it’s recognized by the Maine Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the next section.
Online Cosmetology Classes
Online cosmetology schools are convenient for Anson ME students who are employed full time and have family responsibilities that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous online cosmetology school programs available that can be attended by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty schools are frequently fast paced due to the fact that many courses are as short as six or eight months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours away from your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it’s essential that the training program you select can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to obtain the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.
What to Ask Cosmetologist Programs
Below is a list of questions that you should research for any beauty training program you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Anson ME home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt 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 take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the cosmetology college 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 measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in 04911 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Anson ME 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 Great Reputation? Each cosmetology college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses 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 together with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Anson ME salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And last, contact the Maine school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering 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 select a school that focuses on 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 respected for that program. If your desire is to launch a hair salon in Anson ME, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and refining cosmetology skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty program furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a cosmetology program, it’s essential that he or she receives support in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develope relationships with Anson ME businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating 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 verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Many cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an option until you find out what financial assistance may be available.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Anson ME?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Anson ME area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Anson, Maine
This was once territory of the Norridgewock Abenaki Indians. It was first settled in 1772 as Plantation Number One in what would become Somerset County on March 1, 1809. General Benedict Arnold and his troops passed through Anson village in 1775 on their way up the Kennebec River to the ill-fated Battle of Quebec. The town was incorporated on March 1, 1798 as Anson, named after Lord George Anson. On March 20, 1845, North Anson was set off as a separate town, although on March 13, 1855, it reunited with Anson.[4]
With much rich alluvial soil, Anson became an agricultural town. Water power sites around the Carrabassett River helped North Anson develop into a small mill town. In 1859, it had two tanneries. It had two sawmills and three boot and shoe factories in 1886, when the town produced boots, shoes, leather, bricks, lumber, flour and wool rolls. By 1876, North Anson was the northern terminus of the Somerset Railroad, which began at Oakland in 1872. As Madison grew into an industrial center with large paper mills, Anson became a residential district for its mill workers.[5]
As of June 14, 2007, the abandoned Pan Am Railways spur was reopened, and the first train ran the length of the line for the first time in twenty years. However in 2013 the line was abandoned by Pan Am Railways. [6]
Enroll in the Right Cosmetologist School near Anson ME
Choosing and enrolling in the right cosmetologist college is important to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the information you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are ready to begin your career as a professional cosmetologist in Anson ME.
Other Beautiful Locations in Maine
Business Results 1 - 10 of 1
3 Reviews 