Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Port Washington WI

How to Select a Cosmetology School near Port Washington Wisconsin

nail technicians training at Port Washington WI beauty school Since you have decided to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Port Washington WI, the process begins to find and enroll in the right school. It’s essential that the school you pick not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat unclear 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 concerning 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 Port Washington home. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when assessing potential schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it’s not necessarily the right choice. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are available.

Defining Cosmetology

Port Washington WI makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more attractive with the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states require that you go through some kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Port Washington WI beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a customer base, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by 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 most states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those performing more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Degrees and Certificates

Port Washington WI hairdresser cutting hair There are primarily two pathways available to obtain 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 typically take 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. Briefer programs are offered if you want to concentrate on just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also likely incorporate management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Port Washington WI business. Higher degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you choose, it’s essential to make certain that it’s certified by the Wisconsin Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you decide on in the upcoming section.

Online Beauty Training

student attending cosmetology school online in Port Washington WI Online cosmetology classes are accommodating for Port Washington WI students who are working full-time and have family obligations that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are many web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed by means of a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are frequently fast paced due to the fact that many programs are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same volume of material, but you’re not spending numerous hours away from your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it’s important that the training program you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible 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 program to verify that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetologist Training Courses

Questions to ask Port Washington WI beauty schools Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any beauty training school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Port Washington WI home, as well as the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly 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 narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the School Accredited? It’s necessary 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 comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 53074 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Port Washington WI employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any cosmetologist college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Port Washington WI salon owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And finally, contact the Wisconsin school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often expand 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 respected for that program. If your aspiration is to open a hair salon in Port Washington WI, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.

Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So look for alternate schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a cosmetology academy, it’s crucial that she or he gets assistance in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develope relationships with Port Washington WI employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which salons and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Almost all cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an alternative until you learn what financial assistance may be provided.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Port Washington WI?

If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Port Washington WI area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.

Port Washington, Wisconsin

Port Washington is the county seat of Ozaukee County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 11,250 at the 2010 census. The city was named for its natural port, and in honor of first President George Washington.[4] Port Washington contains a post office with the ZIP code of 53074.

The area that became Port Washington was originally inhabited by the Sauk tribe of Native Americans, and later explored by the French in the late 17th century. In 1835, General Wooster Harrison became the town's first permanent settler, in what he originally named "Wisconsin City." Harrison later renamed the town "Washington".[5][6] Harrison's wife, Rhoda, was the first white settler to be buried in the town, when she died in 1837.[7] Around 1843 the name was changed to "Sauk Washington". The town of Port Washington was formed in January 1846 and until 1847 included the surrounding areas and what is currently Fredonia, Saukville, and Belgium.[8] Appropriately, it was originally the county seat for Washington County until that county was bisected in 1853, with its former lakeside townships becoming the new Ozaukee County, and Port Washington becoming the new county's seat (Washington County's seat moved to West Bend).[9] The City of Port Washington was incorporated with its present name in 1882.

In 1843, the first Christian religious services were held by the Methodist Episcopal Church in private homes. The first Catholic Church services were held in a similar manner in 1847.[11]The Washington Democrat, the town's first newspaper, was started in 1847 by Flavius J. Mills.[12] The population reached 2,500 in 1853 and continued to increase, with an influx of immigrants from Germany and Luxembourg between 1853 and 1865.[13]

Select the Right Cosmetology Training Program near Port Washington WI

Port Washington WI barber blow drying client's hair Selecting and enrolling in the right beauty program is important to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Don’t forget to compile all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the academy and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Port Washington WI.