Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Horn Lake MS

How to Select a Cosmetology College near Horn Lake Mississippi

nail technicians training at Horn Lake MS beauty school Now that you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Horn Lake MS, the task begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It’s important that the program you pick not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be a little bit unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a little bit more concerning that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Horn Lake residence. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when evaluating prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not always the ideal option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are offered.

What is Cosmetology

Horn Lake MS makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human anatomy look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be almost 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 mandate that you go through some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Horn Lake MS beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many 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 already stated, in most states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those conducting more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Certificates and Degrees

Horn Lake MS hairdresser cutting hair There are basically two pathways 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 typically call for 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 main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you wish to specialize in just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also probably incorporate management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Horn Lake MS business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you opt for, it’s important to make sure that it’s recognized by the Mississippi Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only certify schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the next segment.

Online Cosmetologist Training

student attending cosmetology school online in Horn Lake MS Online beauty programs are convenient for Horn Lake MS students who are employed full-time and have family commitments that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended via a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are typically fast paced because many programs are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a substantial amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you’re not devoting many hours away from your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it’s essential that the school you pick can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

What to Ask Beauty Training Courses

Questions to ask Horn Lake MS beauty schools Below is a list of questions that you should look into for any cosmetologist training school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Horn Lake MS 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 narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the School Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the cosmetology school you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged 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 obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in 38637 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Horn Lake MS businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any cosmetologist college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials 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 sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Horn Lake MS salon owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with the Mississippi school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you enroll in 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 aspiration is to open a hair salon in Horn Lake MS, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty academy provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for developing your skills. So look for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a cosmetology academy, it’s crucial that she or he gets support in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with Horn Lake MS employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an alternative until you find out what financial assistance may be provided.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Horn Lake MS?

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

Horn Lake, Mississippi

Horn Lake is a city in DeSoto County, Mississippi, United States which is located south of Memphis, Tennessee. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Horn Lake was 26,066,[3] up from 14,099 in 2000.

Horn Lake is bordered to the north, east, and southeast by the city of Southaven. U.S. Route 51 forms a large portion of Horn Lake's eastern border; it leads north 15 miles (24 km) to downtown Memphis, and south 9 miles (14 km) to Hernando, the DeSoto County seat. Interstate 55 passes just east of Horn Lake, with access from Exits 287,289 and 901.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city of Horn Lake has an area of 16.3 square miles (42.3 km2), of which 16.0 square miles (41.5 km2) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.8 km2), or 1.98%, is water.[3]

Select the Right Beauty Training Program near Horn Lake MS

Horn Lake MS barber blow drying client's hair Locating and enrolling in the ideal cosmetology college is important to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the information you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Horn Lake MS.