How to Pick a Beauty School near Selby South Dakota
Since you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Selby SD, the process begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It’s imperative that the program you select not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary 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 type of school. We’ll speak a little bit further regarding that in the following section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Selby residence. Tuition will additionally be an important aspect when assessing prospective schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not necessarily the right choice. There are various other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as 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 talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of training programs are available.
What is Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more beautiful 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 term cosmetics, but really a cosmetic can be anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states require that you undergo some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Selby SD beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many names and are employed in a wide range of specialties including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As already 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. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Degrees and Certificates
There are primarily two options available to receive cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs normally 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 offered if you prefer to specialize in just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also probably include management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Selby SD business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you opt for, it’s essential to make sure that it’s recognized by the South Dakota Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the upcoming section.
Online Beauty Programs
Online cosmetology classes are convenient for Selby SD students who are working full-time and have family commitments that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous online cosmetology school programs available that can be attended by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are typically fast paced given that many programs are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a substantial portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you’re not devoting many hours outside of your home or travelling back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s important that the program you pick can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to obtain the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.
What to Ask Beauty Training Courses
Following is a series of questions that you need to research for any cosmetology training program you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Selby SD residence, as well as the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the cosmetology training program you select 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in 57472 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Selby SD employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each cosmetologist college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Selby SD salon owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And last, check with the South Dakota school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of 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, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you enroll in a school that specializes in 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 Selby SD, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you need.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities demands 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 site that allow students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty program provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. So look for other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a cosmetology program, it’s important that she or he receives help in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid develope relationships with Selby SD employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which salons and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most cosmetology schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an option until you determine what financial assistance may be available.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Selby SD?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Selby SD area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Selby, South Dakota
As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 642 people, 300 households, and 175 families residing in the city. The population density was 904.2 inhabitants per square mile (349.1/km2). There were 334 housing units at an average density of 470.4 per square mile (181.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.7% White, 2.0% Native American, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.5% of the population.
There were 300 households of which 19.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 4.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.7% were non-families. 39.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.98 and the average family size was 2.62.
The median age in the city was 52.9 years. 16% of residents were under the age of 18; 3.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.7% were from 25 to 44; 27.8% were from 45 to 64; and 34.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.2% male and 48.8% female.
Choose the Right Beauty School near Selby SD
Finding and enrolling in the ideal cosmetologist college is essential to get the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the responses you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions provided 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 examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Selby SD.
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