How to Choose a Cosmetology College near Blythewood South Carolina

Now that you have decided to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Blythewood SC, the task begins to find and enroll in the best school. It’s important that the program you select not only provides the appropriate education for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be rather confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We’ll talk a bit more concerning that in the upcoming segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Blythewood home. Tuition will likewise be a critical factor when assessing potential schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it’s not automatically the right option. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of training programs are available.

Defining Cosmetology

Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more attractive with the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be almost anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you go through some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Blythewood SC beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a client base, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many names 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 formerly stated, in the majority of states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption. Only those conducting more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Certificates and Degrees

There are basically two avenues offered to receive 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 commonly takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you prefer to concentrate on just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely incorporate management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Blythewood SC business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you opt for, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s recognized by the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology. Many states only approve schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the following segment.

Online Cosmetology Schools

Online cosmetology schools are advantageous for Blythewood SC students who are employed 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 home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are frequently fast paced because many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not spending numerous hours away from your home or travelling to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s imperative that the program you choose can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors in order that you also obtain the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to acquire the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is available in your area.

What to Ask Beauty Programs

Following is a list of questions that you will want to research for any cosmetology training program you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Blythewood SC home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have compiled several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the cosmetology training program you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in 29016 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Blythewood SC employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Any cosmetologist institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Blythewood SC salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And finally, contact the South Carolina school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your objective is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to open a hair salon in Blythewood SC, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you need.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided?  Practicing and perfecting cosmetology techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty academy furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  As soon as a student graduates from a beauty school, it’s important that he or she gets help in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with Blythewood SC businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which salons and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  Many cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn 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 too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an option until you find out what financial aid may be provided.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Blythewood SC?

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

Pick the Right Cosmetology College near Blythewood SC

Choosing and enrolling in the ideal cosmetology college is imperative to get the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Blythewood SC.

Other Beautiful Locations in South Carolina

Business Results 1 - 10 of 4

OH Salon

7 Reviews

Hair Salons, Waxing

Phone:

4600 Forest Dr, Ste 7, Columbia, SC 29206

Gore Salon

15 Reviews

Hair Salons, Makeup Artists, Waxing

Phone:

100 Hunter Village Dr, Ste A, Irmo, SC 29063

Spa 131

22 Reviews

Skin Care, Massage, Spray Tanning

Phone:

131 State St, Columbia West, SC 29169

Blush Nails & Spa

41 Reviews

Nail Salons, Eyelash Service, Hair Removal

Phone:

1787 S Lake Dr, Ste I, Lexington, SC 29073