How to Pick a Cosmetologist College near Fort Pierre South Dakota
Once you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Fort Pierre SD, the task begins to find and enroll in the ideal school. It’s imperative that the program you choose not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you may be somewhat confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll speak a little bit more regarding that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Fort Pierre home. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when assessing prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not always the ideal choice. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are available.
Definition of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more attractive through the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be almost anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states mandate that you undergo some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Fort Pierre SD beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gotten experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients either in their own residences or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many names 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 some states there is an exemption. Only those conducting more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Certificates and Degrees
There are basically two options 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 normally take 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate’s degree ordinarily takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you want to specialize in just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely incorporate management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Fort Pierre SD business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you opt for, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s approved by the South Dakota Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only approve schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the next segment.
Online Cosmetology Schools
Online beauty classes are convenient for Fort Pierre SD students who are employed full time and have family commitments that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be accessed via a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty programs are frequently fast paced due to the fact that many courses are as short as six or eight months. This means that a substantial amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are covering the same volume of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or travelling back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s essential that the school you pick can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to obtain the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Cosmetologist Schools
Below is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any beauty training school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Fort Pierre SD residence, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably 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 need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the cosmetology college you choose 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 assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 57532 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 Fort Pierre SD employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every beauty institute that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Fort Pierre SD salon owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And last, contact the South Dakota school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing 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 essential that you enroll in a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your goal 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 desire is to open a hair salon in Fort Pierre SD, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting cosmetology techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a beauty program provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a cosmetology program, it’s important that he or she gets support in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help develope relationships with Fort Pierre SD businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which salons and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Almost all cosmetology schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn 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 meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an alternative before you find out what financial help may be offered.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Fort Pierre SD?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Fort Pierre SD area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Fort Pierre, South Dakota
Fort Pierre is a city in Stanley County, South Dakota, United States. It is part of the Pierre, South Dakota micropolitan area and the county seat of Stanley County. The population was 2,078 at the 2010 census. Fort Pierre is situated at the confluence of the Missouri and Bad rivers.
On March 30, 1743, Francois and Louis-Joseph Gaultier de La Vérendrye reached the area of present-day Fort Pierre during their expedition west from Quebec.[7] They left a metal plate buried in a hill to mark their journey and claim the land for France.[8] The Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery Expedition met with the Teton Sioux on the south side of the mouth of the Bad River on 24–28 September 1804. Fort Pierre Chouteau was established in 1832 as a trading post and fort by St Louis industrial fur trader Pierre Chouteau, Jr. on the north side of the river's mouth to replace Fort Tecumseh, established 1817 and a mile to the north on what is now LaFramboise Island.
Fort Pierre is located at 44°21′32″N 100°22′33″W / 44.35889°N 100.37583°W / 44.35889; -100.37583 (44.358941, -100.375742).[9] Across the Missouri River from Fort Pierre is the state capital of South Dakota, Pierre.
Choose the Right Cosmetologist Vocational School near Fort Pierre SD
Picking and enrolling in the right beauty school is essential to obtain the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to organize all of the responses you get from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, 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 proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are prepared to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Fort Pierre SD.
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