How to Choose the Right Cosmetologist Academy near La Harpe Illinois
Since you have decided to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near La Harpe IL, the process begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It’s imperative that the program you select not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may be a little bit confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll speak a little bit more concerning that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your La Harpe residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical factor when assessing potential schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not necessarily the right option. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are offered.
What is Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more attractive with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states require that you take some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only La Harpe IL beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a client base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles 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 formerly stated, in most states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Certificates and Degrees
There are basically two pathways offered to get 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 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 available if you wish to concentrate on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also probably include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other La Harpe IL business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you decide on, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s certified by the Illinois Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the upcoming section.
Online Cosmetologist Programs
Online cosmetology programs are convenient for La Harpe IL students who are working full time and have family obligations that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of online cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed via a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are often fast paced due to the fact that many courses are as short as six or eight months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are covering the same amount of material, but you are not devoting many hours away from your home or travelling back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s important that the school you pick can provide internship training in area salons and parlors to ensure that you also receive the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to obtain the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is available in your area.
Questions to Ask Beauty Trade Schools
Following is a list of questions that you need to look into for any cosmetology training program you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your La Harpe IL residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably 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 reduced your school choices 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 collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the School Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the cosmetology college you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 61450 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many La Harpe IL businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any cosmetologist institute that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with La Harpe IL salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And last, contact the Illinois 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? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your ambition is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to open a hair salon in La Harpe IL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a cosmetology program, it’s essential that she or he gets help in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develope relationships with La Harpe IL businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask 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 Assistance Offered? Almost all cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and find out 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 accessible to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you find out what financial assistance may be provided.
Considering Cosmetology Schools in La Harpe IL?
If you are considering attending Beauty School in La Harpe IL or in a nearby area, following is some interesting and useful information regarding the location of your new school campus.
La Harpe, Illinois
La Harpe is located in northeastern Hancock County at 40°34′59″N 90°58′08″W / 40.582925°N 90.968770°W / 40.582925; -90.968770,[4] south of the South Branch La Moine River. Illinois Route 9 passes through the city as its Main Street, leading east 25 miles (40 km) to Bushnell and west 13 miles (21 km) to Dallas City on the Mississippi River. Illinois Route 94 intersects IL 9 at the western edge of the city, and leads north 15 miles (24 km) to Stronghurst.
During the 18th century, French explorers headed by Bernard de la Harpe were forced to spend the winter just north of the present city of La Harpe. About 1896, four stone tablets dated June 15, 1715, and inscribed in French were reportedly found a few miles east of the old fortication built by the explorers. Stones were translated locally by the only French family in town as follows: "We are surrounded by indians and have no hope for survival unless help soon arrives." Said stone tablets were reported to be sent to the Smithsonian for authentication, and were ruled a hoax. Their whereabouts are currently unknown.
Soon after 1830, landowners in the area began to develop a town which they called "Franklin". In 1836, they applied for a post office and were informed another town in Illinois was already named Franklin. The first postmaster, Louis Rice Chaffin, suggested the name be registered as "La Harpe", for the Frenchman who spent the winter over 100 years earlier. The City of La Harpe was granted a charter by the Illinois legislature in 1859. The charter was amended in 1861 to change the size of the town, and the boundaries have changed through the years. Today the city has 22 streets and avenues.
Best Esthetician School La Harpe IL
Selecting and enrolling in the right cosmetologist school is imperative to get the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. You originally came to this website because you have an interest in learning more about Best Esthetician School. So make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you pick are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional cosmetologist in La Harpe IL.
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