How to Enroll In a Beauty School near Hamilton Mississippi
Now that you have decided to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Hamilton MS, the task begins to find and enroll in the ideal school. It’s essential that the school you select not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. 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 names are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We’ll talk a little bit more about that in the next section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Hamilton home. Tuition will additionally be a critical factor when reviewing prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not always the best option. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are available.
Definition of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful with the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic may be anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states require that you take some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Hamilton MS beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gotten experience and a client base, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own residences or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many titles and work in a wide variety 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 working cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption. Only those conducting more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Degrees and Certificates
There are primarily two avenues offered to obtain cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs normally 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 trained in each of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you want to specialize in just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Hamilton MS business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you go with, it’s essential to make sure that it’s recognized by the Mississippi Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the next segment.
Online Cosmetology Training
Online cosmetology schools are advantageous for Hamilton MS students who are working full-time and have family obligations that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are many web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended via a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty programs are often fast paced given that many programs are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a large portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not spending numerous hours away from your home or driving back and forth from classes. However, it’s vital that the program you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors to ensure that you also receive the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to gain 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
Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any cosmetologist training school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Hamilton MS home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly 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 choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the School Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the cosmetology school you pick 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 comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in 39746 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Hamilton MS employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every cosmetology college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Hamilton MS salon owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And finally, consult the Mississippi 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 Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you enroll in 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 aspiration is to start a hair salon in Hamilton MS, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty academy offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. So look for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a beauty school, it’s important that he or she receives help in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help develope relationships with Hamilton MS businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Most beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you find out what financial assistance may be offered.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Hamilton MS?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Hamilton MS area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Hamilton, Mississippi
Hamilton School, a K-12 school of the Monroe County School District, is located in the town. The school's "Lady Lions" have won softball state champions for the past 2 years, and the "Hamilton Lions Marching Band" have won 2nd and 3rd place at state championships the past 2 years as well.
Find the Right Cosmetology Training Program near Hamilton MS
Locating and enrolling in the ideal beauty school is essential to receive the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to organize all of the responses you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to begin your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Hamilton MS.
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