Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Inver Grove Heights MN

How to Choose a Beauty School near Inver Grove Heights Minnesota

nail technicians training at Inver Grove Heights MN beauty school Once you have decided to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Inver Grove Heights MN, the process starts to search for and enroll in the right school. It’s essential that the school you select not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be a little bit unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a bit more about that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Inver Grove Heights residence. Tuition will also be an important aspect when evaluating potential schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not automatically the ideal option. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are offered.

Definition of Cosmetology

Inver Grove Heights MN makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful with the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you undergo some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Inver Grove Heights MN beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a client base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many professional names and are employed in a wide variety of specializations including:

Hairdressers
Hairstylists
Beauticians
Barbers
Manicurists
Nail Technicians
Makeup Artists
Hair Coloring Specialists
Estheticians
Electrolysis Technicians

As formerly mentioned, in most states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those offering more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees and Certificates

Inver Grove Heights MN hairdresser cutting hair There are essentially 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 usually require 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 instructed in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you want to concentrate on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Inver Grove Heights MN 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 decide on, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s recognized by the Minnesota Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the following segment.

Online Cosmetology Schools

student attending cosmetology school online in Inver Grove Heights MN Online cosmetology programs are convenient for Inver Grove Heights MN students who are working full-time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based beauty school programs available that can be accessed through a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty 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 many hours outside of your home or driving to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s essential that the program you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors to ensure that you also get the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to acquire the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is available in your area.

What to Ask Cosmetologist Training Programs

Questions to ask Inver Grove Heights MN beauty schools Following is a list of questions that you should investigate for any cosmetology training school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Inver Grove Heights MN home, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration 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 Program Accredited? It’s necessary to make sure that the cosmetology school you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in 55076 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Inver Grove Heights MN businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those 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 field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Inver Grove Heights MN salon owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. Finally, check with the Minnesota school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you select a school that focuses on 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 vision is to start a hair salon in Inver Grove Heights MN, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct 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 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 included in the beauty lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a beauty school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a cosmetology academy, it’s important that she or he gets help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid develope relationships with Inver Grove Heights MN businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, 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 Aid Offered? Most cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn 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 offered to students too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you learn what financial assistance may be provided.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Inver Grove Heights MN?

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

Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota

Inver Grove Heights is 9 miles (14 km) southeast of Saint Paul; nearby communities are South St. Paul, West St. Paul, Sunfish Lake, Eagan, Newport, and Saint Paul Park (the last two across the Mississippi River).

After the signing of the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux in 1851, settlers from Ireland and Germany quickly staked claims in the rolling countryside west of the Mississippi River. Those of Irish descent farmed the eastern part of the community, while Germans cleared the wooded land to the west for their farms. French and English settlers built their homes along the river. The township of Inver Grove Heights was named after the Irish fishing village of Inver and the German town of Grove.[7] Records show that 240 farms, four churches, and four school districts were founded by 1880.[8]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 30.12 square miles (78.01 km2), of which 27.76 square miles (71.90 km2) is land and 2.36 square miles (6.11 km2) is water.[1]

Find the Right Cosmetology Program near Inver Grove Heights MN

Inver Grove Heights MN barber blow drying client's hair Selecting and enrolling in the ideal cosmetologist school is imperative to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your career as a professional cosmetologist in Inver Grove Heights MN.