How to Select a Cosmetology College near Bellevue Texas
Since you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Bellevue TX, the process starts to find and enroll in the right school. It’s important that the school you pick not only furnishes the proper training for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be somewhat puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We’ll speak a little bit further concerning that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Bellevue residence. Tuition will also be an important aspect when assessing prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not necessarily the right choice. There are various other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about 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 kinds of courses are offered.
Defining Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human anatomy look more beautiful through the use 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 basically a cosmetic may be almost anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you go through some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Bellevue TX beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gotten experience and a clientele, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own residences or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many professional names 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 earlier mentioned, in most states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Certificates and Degrees
There are basically two avenues available to obtain cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs normally call for 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree commonly takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you want to specialize in just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Bellevue TX business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you choose, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s approved by the Texas Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only certify schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the following segment.
Online Beauty Programs
Online beauty programs are accommodating for Bellevue TX students who are employed full-time and have family obligations that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are many web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed through a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology programs are typically fast paced because 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 programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you’re not spending numerous hours away from your home or commuting back and forth from classes. However, it’s important that the training program you pick can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to acquire the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is available in your area.
What to Ask Cosmetology Programs
Following is a series of questions that you need to research for any beauty training school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Bellevue TX home, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make certain that the cosmetology training program you enroll in 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 ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in 76228 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Bellevue TX employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each beauty school 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 testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Bellevue TX salon owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. Finally, contact the Texas school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular 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 choose 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 well regarded for that program. If your dream is to start a hair salon in Bellevue TX, 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 pursuing will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty program provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a cosmetology school, it’s imperative that he or she receives support in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help develope relationships with Bellevue TX businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most 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 find out what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you learn what financial aid may be offered.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Bellevue TX?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Bellevue TX area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Bellevue, Texas
The sparsely settled area developed around 1882, when it was selected as a railroad shipping station. The community has had several declines and resurges. In 1902, the community incorporated, but then it was almost wiped out by a tornado in 1906. During the Depression many residents left, but this trend was slowed by the discovery of petroleum. Afterwards, the decline continued.
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 386 people, 142 households, and 105 families residing in the city. The population density was 456.1 people per square mile (175.3/km²). There were 154 housing units at an average density of 182.0 per square mile (70.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.78% White, 2.07% Native American, 2.07% from other races, and 2.07% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.59% of the population.
There were 142 households out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.4% were non-families. 21.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.15.
Enroll in the Right Cosmetology Vocational School near Bellevue TX
Picking and enrolling in the ideal beauty college is important to receive the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Don’t forget to consolidate all of the information you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the academy and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, 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 ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Bellevue TX.
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