How to Choose a Cosmetology College near Holt Michigan

Now that you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Holt MI, the process begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It’s essential that the school you pick not only furnishes the necessary instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be rather 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 little bit further concerning 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 Holt home. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when assessing potential schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not necessarily the ideal choice. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about 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.

What is Cosmetology

Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human anatomy look more attractive with the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may 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 be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Holt MI beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gotten experience and a clientele, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many professional names 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 previously mentioned, in the majority of states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Certificates and Degrees

There are essentially two avenues available to obtain cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually call for 12 to 18 months to complete, 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. Briefer programs are offered if you want to focus on just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also probably incorporate management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Holt MI business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you go with, it’s important to make certain that it’s certified by the Michigan Board of Cosmetology. Many states only approve 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 advantageous for Holt MI students who are working full time and have family obligations that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous online beauty school programs offered that can be accessed by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty programs are typically fast paced given that many programs are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a substantial amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not spending many hours away from your home or commuting back and forth from classes. However, it’s important that the training program you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to acquire the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is available in your area.

What to Ask Beauty Training Courses

Following is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any beauty training program you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Holt MI residence, as well as the price of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the cosmetology college you choose 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 meet their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in 48842 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Holt MI employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Each cosmetologist college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Holt MI salon owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. Finally, contact the Michigan school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your intention is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to launch a hair salon in Holt MI, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you require.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided?  Practicing and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty program provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. So try to find alternate schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  When a student graduates from a cosmetology academy, it’s essential that he or she receives support in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with Holt MI employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which salons and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  Most beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might 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 cost, do not discard it as an alternative until you determine what financial assistance may be provided.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Holt MI?

If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Holt MI area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.

Enroll in the Right Cosmetologist Program near Holt MI

Locating and enrolling in the right cosmetologist college is imperative to get the proper 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. Don’t forget to compile all of the information you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Holt MI.

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