Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Mapleville RI

How to Select a Cosmetology School near Mapleville Rhode Island

nail technicians training at Mapleville RI beauty school Once you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Mapleville RI, the process begins to find and enroll in the best school. It’s essential that the school you pick not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We’ll speak a little bit more about that in the upcoming segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Mapleville residence. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when evaluating potential schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not always the best choice. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding 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 courses are offered.

Defining Cosmetology

Mapleville RI makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human anatomy look more beautiful with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances 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 type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Mapleville RI beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing customers either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many titles and work 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 most states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees

Mapleville RI hairdresser cutting hair There are basically two options offered 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 call for 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate’s degree usually takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you prefer to focus on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also probably incorporate management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Mapleville RI business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you opt for, it’s important to make sure that it’s recognized by the Rhode Island Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the upcoming section.

Online Beauty Courses

student attending cosmetology school online in Mapleville RI Online beauty programs are advantageous for Mapleville RI students who are employed full-time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be attended by means of a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty programs are typically fast paced because many courses are as short as six or eight months. This means that a considerable portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you’re not spending numerous hours outside of your home or travelling back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s imperative that the program you select can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills required to work in any area 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 Degree Programs

Questions to ask Mapleville RI beauty schools Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any cosmetologist training program you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Mapleville RI home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue 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 preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the School Accredited? It’s necessary to make sure that the cosmetology training program 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 meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in 02839 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Mapleville RI businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each beauty college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Mapleville RI salon owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And last, consult the Rhode Island school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance 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 focuses on 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 dream is to open a hair salon in Mapleville RI, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you need.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. So search for other schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a beauty school, it’s crucial that he or she gets assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with Mapleville RI businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Almost all cosmetology schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out 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 accessible to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an option before you learn what financial aid may be offered.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Mapleville RI?

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

George W. Spaulding

Find the Right Cosmetologist School near Mapleville RI

Mapleville RI barber blow drying client's hair Choosing and enrolling in the ideal beauty program is essential to get the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Don’t forget to organize all of the responses you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your career as a professional cosmetologist in Mapleville RI.