Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Columbus NC

How to Enroll In a Cosmetologist College near Columbus North Carolina

nail technicians training at Columbus NC beauty school Once you have decided to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Columbus NC, the process begins to locate and enroll in the best school. It’s important that the school you choose not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be somewhat unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a little bit further regarding that in the upcoming section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Columbus home. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when assessing prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not always the best option. There are several other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are available.

What is Cosmetology

Columbus NC makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more beautiful through the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic can be anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states require that you undergo some kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Columbus NC beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a client base, open their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing customers either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many titles and are employed in a wide range of specializations including:

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

As earlier stated, in most states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those offering more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Degrees and Certificates

Columbus NC hairdresser cutting hair There are basically two avenues offered to receive cosmetology training and a credential upon 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 each of the major 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 feature management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Columbus NC business. Higher degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you choose, it’s important to make sure that it’s certified by the North Carolina Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the next segment.

Online Cosmetologist Courses

student attending cosmetology school online in Columbus NC Online cosmetology programs are convenient for Columbus NC students who are working full time and have family responsibilities that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended by means of a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty programs are frequently fast paced due to the fact that many programs are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are covering the same volume of material, but you’re not spending numerous hours away from your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it’s essential that the school you select can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to gain the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetology Schools

Questions to ask Columbus NC beauty schools Following is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any cosmetology training school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Columbus NC residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your primary 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 choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s necessary to make sure that the cosmetology college you pick 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 meet their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in 28722 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Columbus NC employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every beauty institute that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Columbus NC salon owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And finally, contact the North Carolina 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? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your goal is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your desire is to launch a hair salon in Columbus NC, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty academy provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for other schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a cosmetology program, it’s imperative that he or she gets help in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with Columbus NC employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which salons and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available? Most beauty 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 may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an option before you find out what financial aid may be available.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Columbus NC?

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

Columbus, North Carolina

Columbus is a town in Polk County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 999 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Polk County.[4] The Tryon International Equestrian Center, close to the nearby community of Mill Spring will be the location of the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games.[5]

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 992 people, 414 households, and 238 families residing in the town. The population density was 559.1 people per square mile (216.4/km²). There were 442 housing units at an average density of 249.1 per square mile (96.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 90.32% White, 5.95% African American, 0.20% Native American, 3.12% from other races, and 0.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.56% of the population.

There were 414 households out of which 19.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.5% were non-families. 38.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 26.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.75.

Enroll in the Right Cosmetologist School near Columbus NC

Columbus NC barber blow drying client's hair Selecting and enrolling in the right cosmetology program is essential to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Don’t forget to organize all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the academy and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin 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 right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your career as a professional cosmetologist in Columbus NC.