How to Select a Cosmetologist School near Lattimore North Carolina
Now that you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Lattimore NC, the task starts to search for and enroll in the best school. It’s essential that the program you choose not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat confused 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 kind of school. We’ll discuss a bit more concerning that in the following section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Lattimore residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical aspect when evaluating possible schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not necessarily the ideal option. There are many other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are offered.
Defining Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human anatomy look more beautiful through the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word 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, the majority of states mandate that you undergo some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Lattimore NC beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a customer base, open their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s residence, 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 mentioned, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Degrees
There are primarily two pathways available to receive cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs normally call for 12 to 18 months to complete, 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 main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you wish to concentrate on just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also probably incorporate management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Lattimore NC business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you choose, it’s important to make certain that it’s recognized by the North Carolina Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you decide on in the following section.
Online Cosmetologist Courses
Online cosmetology programs are accommodating for Lattimore NC students who are employed full-time and have family responsibilities that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous online beauty school programs available that can be accessed through a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are typically fast paced given that many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a substantial portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are covering the same volume of material, but you are not spending many hours away from your home or travelling back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s vital that the school you choose can provide internship training in local salons and parlors to ensure that you also obtain the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.
Questions to Ask Cosmetology Trade Schools
Following is a list of questions that you should research for any beauty training school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Lattimore NC residence, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make certain that the cosmetology college you enroll in 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in 28089 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Lattimore NC employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any cosmetology institute that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. 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, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Lattimore NC salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, check with the North Carolina school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing 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 imperative that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your intention is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to launch a hair salon in Lattimore NC, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct 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 Any Live Training Provided? Learning and mastering cosmetology skills and techniques requires lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty program provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. So try to find other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a beauty program, it’s imperative that he or she receives help in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help develope relationships with Lattimore NC employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which salons and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected 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 reviewing have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and identify 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 offered to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an alternative before you determine what financial aid may be available.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Lattimore NC?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Lattimore NC area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Lattimore, North Carolina
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 419 people, 119 households, and 79 families residing in the town. The population density was 419.9 people per square mile (161.8/km²). There were 127 housing units at an average density of 127.3 per square mile (49.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.14% White, 2.15% African American, 0.24% Asian, 0.24% from other races, and 0.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.48% of the population.
There were 119 households out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.6% were non-families. 32.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the town, the population was spread out with 17.9% under the age of 18, 36.0% from 18 to 24, 19.3% from 25 to 44, 16.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.3 males.
Enroll in the Right Cosmetologist Vocational School near Lattimore NC
Picking and enrolling in the ideal cosmetology school is imperative to receive the appropriate 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. Make certain to consolidate all of the responses you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Lattimore NC.
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