How to Choose the Right Beauty College near Palatine Illinois

Now that you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Palatine IL, the process begins to locate and enroll in the best school. It’s imperative that the school you select not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be somewhat unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a little bit further concerning that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Palatine residence. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when assessing possible schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not necessarily the right choice. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review 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 programs are available.

Defining Cosmetology

Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human anatomy look more beautiful with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most 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 kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Palatine IL 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 start servicing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many 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 previously stated, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists must 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 employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees

There are essentially two pathways offered to get cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually require 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate’s degree commonly takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in each of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you prefer to specialize in just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also probably incorporate management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Palatine IL business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you go with, it’s essential to make sure that it’s certified by the Illinois Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the next segment.

Online Cosmetology Programs

Online beauty classes are accommodating for Palatine IL students who are working full-time and have family obligations that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous online cosmetology school programs offered that can be accessed via a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are frequently fast paced given that many programs are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you’re not devoting numerous hours away from your home or driving to and from classes. However, it’s essential that the program you choose can provide internship training in local salons and parlors to ensure that you also obtain the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to gain the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

What to Ask Cosmetologist Training Classes

Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any beauty training program you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Palatine IL home, as well as the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial 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 choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the cosmetology training program 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 assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in 60038 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Palatine IL businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Every cosmetology institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Palatine IL salon owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And finally, consult the Illinois school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your ambition is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your desire is to launch a hair salon in Palatine IL, 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 deliver the training you need.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided?  Practicing and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty academy provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. So try to find alternate schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  As soon as a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s imperative that she or he gets aid in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with Palatine IL businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which salons and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  Most beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 available to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an option before you learn what financial aid may be available.

Considering Cosmetology Schools in Palatine IL?

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

Cosmetology Makeup School Palatine IL

Locating and enrolling in the right beauty program is imperative to receive the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. You originally came to this website because you have an interest in learning more about Cosmetology Makeup School. So make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Don’t forget to consolidate all of the responses you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, 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 choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are ready to start your career as a professional cosmetologist in Palatine IL.

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