How to Find the Right Beauty College near Lebanon Tennessee
Once you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Lebanon TN, the task starts to search for and enroll in the best school. It’s imperative that the program you choose not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be somewhat unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We’ll talk a little bit further regarding that in the following segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Lebanon home. Tuition will also be an important consideration when evaluating potential schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not automatically the best option. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are offered.
Defining Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human anatomy 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 term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you take some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Lebanon TN beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a client base, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many titles and are employed in a wide variety of specialties including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As previously mentioned, in most states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption. Only those conducting more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Degrees and Certificates
There are essentially two avenues offered to obtain cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs typically 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 instructed in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you want 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 manage a parlor or other Lebanon TN business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you opt for, it’s essential to make certain that it’s approved by the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the next section.
Online Cosmetology Classes
Online cosmetology programs are convenient for Lebanon TN students who are employed full time and have family obligations 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 desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are often fast paced since 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 covering the same volume of material, but you’re not devoting many hours outside of your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it’s imperative that the training program you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors in order that you also get the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Cosmetologist Programs
Following is a list of questions that you should investigate for any beauty training school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Lebanon TN home, as well as the price of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the cosmetology college you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in 37087 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Lebanon TN businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any cosmetology college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. 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. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Lebanon TN salon owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And last, contact the Tennessee school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your objective 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 start a hair salon in Lebanon TN, 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 poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting cosmetology techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a beauty academy furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a cosmetology school, it’s imperative that he or she receives support in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with Lebanon TN businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may 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 all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an option before you find out what financial aid may be provided.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Lebanon TN?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Lebanon TN area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Lebanon, Tennessee
The city was incorporated in 1801,[7] and was named after the biblical cedars of Lebanon.[8] Local residents have called Lebanon "Cedar City", mostly a reference to the abundance of cedar trees in the area. The city is home to Cumberland University, a small, private four-year liberal arts institution.
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 20,235 people, 7,987 households, and 5,319 families residing in the city. The population density was 692.0 people per square mile (267.2/km²). There were 8,693 housing units at an average density of 297.3 per square mile (114.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.89% White, 13.78% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.82% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.00% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.26% of the population.
There were 7,987 households out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.94.
Enroll in the Right Cosmetologist College near Lebanon TN
Locating and enrolling in the right cosmetology program is essential to receive the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the responses you receive from the cosmetology 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 certain that the college and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to begin your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Lebanon TN.
Other Beautiful Locations in Tennessee
Business Results 1 - 10 of 3
4 Reviews 
16 Reviews 
28 Reviews 