How to Enroll In a Cosmetologist School near Oacoma South Dakota
Once you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Oacoma SD, the task starts to search for and enroll in the best school. It’s imperative that the program you choose not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may be somewhat puzzled 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 little bit more regarding that in the next segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Oacoma home. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when assessing potential schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it’s not automatically the best option. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are offered.
Definition of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human body look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many 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 look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states require that you take some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Oacoma SD beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many names and work in a wide range of specialties including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As previously stated, in the majority of states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In certain states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Degrees and Certificates
There are essentially two avenues available to get cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually 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 trained in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you prefer to concentrate on just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also likely include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Oacoma SD business. Higher degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you opt for, it’s essential to make sure that it’s approved by the South Dakota Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the next segment.
Online Beauty Courses
Online cosmetology programs are convenient for Oacoma SD students who are employed full-time and have family commitments that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based beauty school programs available that can be attended through a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty schools are frequently fast paced given that many programs are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a significant portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you are not spending numerous hours outside of your home or commuting back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s important that the program you choose can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors in order that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills needed to work in any facet 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.
What to Ask Beauty Training Classes
Below is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any beauty training program you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Oacoma 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 should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the cosmetology college you pick 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 measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in 57365 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Oacoma SD employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any cosmetologist college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Oacoma SD salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the South Dakota school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you decide on a school that focuses on 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 well regarded for that program. If your dream is to open a hair salon in Oacoma SD, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and refining cosmetology skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a beauty academy provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for acquiring your skills. So look for other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s crucial that he or she gets help in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help develope relationships with Oacoma SD businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? The majority of beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an option before you determine what financial aid may be offered.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Oacoma SD?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Oacoma SD area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Oacoma, South Dakota
On September 17, 1804, Lewis and Clark camped on the west bank of the Missouri River near American Island where Oacoma is now located. During the remainder of the 19th century the area was a stopping off place for explorers, fur traders and steamboat men. The township of Oacoma was laid out in 1891 as the county seat for the newly formed Lyman County; the seat was transferred to Kennebec in 1922. The Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad arrived to Oacoma in 1905[7] and Oacoma was known as a "banking post-village".[8] In the 21st century, it is a rest stop for travelers on Interstate 90.
Oacoma is located at 43°48′15″N 99°22′49″W / 43.804117°N 99.380157°W / 43.804117; -99.380157.[9] According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 4.18 square miles (10.83 km2), of which 2.59 square miles (6.71 km2) is land and 1.59 square miles (4.12 km2) is water.[2]
As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 451 people, 205 households, and 135 families residing in the town. The population density was 174.1 inhabitants per square mile (67.2/km2). There were 236 housing units at an average density of 91.1 per square mile (35.2/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 88.9% White, 0.2% African American, 6.4% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 3.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population.
Select the Right Cosmetology College near Oacoma SD
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal cosmetologist college is imperative to receive the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Be 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 reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the academy and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are ready to start your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Oacoma SD.
Other Beautiful Locations in South Dakota
Business Results 1 - 10 of 0
