Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Platte City MO

How to Select a Cosmetology College near Platte City Missouri

nail technicians training at Platte City MO beauty school Once you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Platte City MO, the task starts to locate and enroll in the right school. It’s essential that the school you pick not only furnishes the proper instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may be a little bit puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll talk a little bit further about that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Platte City home. Tuition will also be a critical factor when reviewing possible schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not necessarily the right choice. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of training programs are available.

Defining Cosmetology

Platte City MO makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic may be anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states mandate that you go through some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Platte City MO beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gotten experience and a client base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many professional names and work 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 working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Certificates and Degrees

Platte City MO hairdresser cutting hair There are primarily two pathways available to obtain cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs generally require 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 trained in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you prefer to concentrate on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also likely feature management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Platte City MO business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you choose, it’s important to make sure that it’s recognized by the Missouri Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the following section.

Online Cosmetology Training

student attending cosmetology school online in Platte City MO Online cosmetology schools are convenient for Platte City MO students who are working full time and have family obligations that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous online beauty school programs available that can be attended by means of a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty schools are frequently fast paced due to the fact that many programs are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a considerable amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you’re not spending numerous hours away from your home or travelling to and from classes. However, it’s vital that the program you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors in order that you also get the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to obtain the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetology Trade Schools

Questions to ask Platte City MO beauty schools Below is a list of questions that you should look into for any beauty training program you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Platte City MO home, together with the price of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have put together several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the cosmetology college you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in 64079 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 Platte City MO employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any beauty institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials 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 companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Platte City MO salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, 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 Missouri school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your ambition 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 dream is to launch a hair salon in Platte City MO, 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 deliver the training you need.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining cosmetology skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a beauty school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a beauty program, it’s important that he or she gets help in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help develope relationships with Platte City MO businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Most cosmetology schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check 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 as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an alternative before you determine what financial aid may be available.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Platte City MO?

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

Platte City, Missouri

Platte City is located at 39°21′42″N 94°46′29″W / 39.36167°N 94.77472°W / 39.36167; -94.77472 (39.361775, -94.774672).[9] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.65 square miles (9.45 km2), of which 3.61 square miles (9.35 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) is water.[1]

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 4,691 people, 1,975 households, and 1,174 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,299.4 inhabitants per square mile (501.7/km2). There were 2,214 housing units at an average density of 613.3 per square mile (236.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 88.9% White, 4.6% African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 1.6% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.9% of the population.

There were 1,975 households of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.7% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.6% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.97.

Pick the Right Cosmetologist College near Platte City MO

Platte City MO barber blow drying client's hair Selecting and enrolling in the ideal beauty program is important to receive the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Don’t forget to consolidate all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to reduce 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 start your career as a professional cosmetologist in Platte City MO.