College Of Cosmetology Lee IL

How to Choose the Right Cosmetology School near Lee Illinois

Lee IL wedding makeup artist with clientOnce you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Lee IL, the process starts to find and enroll in the ideal school. It’s imperative that the school you select not only provides the appropriate education for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be rather unclear about the distinction 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 talk a little bit more concerning that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Lee residence. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when evaluating potential schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not automatically the best choice. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding 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 types of programs are available.

What is Cosmetology

Lee IL hair stylist cutting hairCosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human anatomy look more beautiful 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 really a cosmetic can be anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states mandate that you go through some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Lee IL beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a customer base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many names and work in a wide variety of specializations including:

  • Hairdressers
  • Hairstylists
  • Beauticians
  • Barbers
  • Manicurists
  • Nail Technicians
  • Makeup Artists
  • Hair Coloring Specialists
  • Estheticians
  • Electrolysis Technicians

As previously mentioned, in most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In certain states there is an exception. Only those offering more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Certificates and Degrees

nail techs training at Lee IL beauty schoolThere are basically two avenues offered 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 typically require 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree ordinarily takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in each of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you want to specialize in just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also probably feature management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Lee IL business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you choose, it’s essential to make sure that it’s approved by the Illinois Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the next segment.

Online Beauty Classes

student attending online beauty school in Lee ILOnline beauty programs are accommodating for Lee IL students who are working full time and have family commitments that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of online beauty school programs available that can be accessed through a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are typically fast paced because many courses 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 amount of material, but you are not spending many hours outside of your home or driving to and from classes. However, it’s imperative that the program you select can provide internship training in area 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 needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. 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 Cosmetologist Trade Schools

Questions to ask Lee IL cosmetology schoolsBelow is a series of questions that you need to look into for any cosmetology training school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Lee IL home, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options 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 put together some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make certain that the cosmetology school you pick 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in 60530 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 Lee IL businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Any beauty college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Lee IL salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And last, check with the Illinois school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your intention 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 aspiration is to open a hair salon in Lee IL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you need.

Is Plenty of Live Training Provided?  Learning and refining cosmetology skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for developing your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from a cosmetology school, it’s crucial that he or she receives aid in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with Lee IL employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools 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. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  Almost all beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering 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 as well. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an option until you learn what financial aid may be offered.

Considering Cosmetology Schools in Lee IL?

If you are considering attending Beauty School in Lee IL or in a nearby area, following is some interesting and useful information regarding the location of your new school campus.

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College Of Cosmetology Lee IL

Lee IL barber trimming hairLocating and enrolling in the right beauty school is essential to get the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. You originally came to this website because you have an interest in learning more about College Of Cosmetology. So be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the responses you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Lee IL.

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