How to Pick the Right Cosmetology School near Plymouth Illinois
Once you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Plymouth IL, the task begins to search for and enroll in the best school. It’s imperative that the program you choose not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be somewhat confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We’ll talk a bit more regarding that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Plymouth home. Tuition will also be an important consideration when assessing prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not automatically the right choice. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing 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 discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are available.
Defining Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything 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. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but really 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 you are licensed, the work environments include not only Plymouth IL beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a customer base, establish 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 are known 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 mentioned, in most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption. Only those performing 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 get licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Degrees and Certificates
There are primarily two pathways available to get cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue 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 instructed in each of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you want to concentrate on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely feature management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Plymouth IL business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you opt for, it’s essential to make sure that it’s recognized by the Illinois Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only approve schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the following segment.
Online Beauty Training
Online cosmetology schools are accommodating for Plymouth IL students who are working full time and have family obligations that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many online beauty school programs offered that can be accessed via a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are frequently fast paced since many courses are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are covering the same amount of material, but you’re not devoting many hours away from your home or commuting back and forth from classes. However, it’s important that the program you select can provide internship training in area salons and parlors in order that you also get 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 be sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is available in your area.
What to Ask Beauty Programs
Below is a list of questions that you will want to research for any beauty training program you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Plymouth IL home, as well as the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed 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 school. Following we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the cosmetology college you select 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 measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in 62367 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Plymouth IL employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any cosmetology college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Plymouth IL salon owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. Finally, consult the Illinois school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular 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 select a school that focuses on 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 vision is to launch a hair salon in Plymouth IL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Learning and mastering cosmetology skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty program provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So search for alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a cosmetology program, it’s essential that she or he receives assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with Plymouth IL employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which salons and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Almost all cosmetology schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an option until you determine what financial help may be provided.
Considering Cosmetology Schools in Plymouth IL?
If you are considering attending Beauty School in Plymouth IL or in a nearby area, following is some interesting and useful information regarding the location of your new school campus.
Plymouth, Illinois
Plymouth is located in southeastern Hancock County at 40°17′28″N 90°55′02″W / 40.291228°N 90.917134°W / 40.291228; -90.917134.[4] A small portion of the village extends east into the southwest corner of McDonough County. Illinois Route 61 passes through the village, leading northeast 4.5 miles (7.2 km) to Colmar and southwest 5 miles (8 km) to Augusta. Carthage, the Hancock County seat, is 21 miles (34 km) to the northwest of Plymouth.
As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 562 people, 234 households, and 146 families residing in the village. The population density was 953.8 people per square mile (367.8/km²). There were 264 housing units at an average density of 448.1 per square mile (172.8/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 95.73% White, 0.18% African American, 0.18% Native American, 1.25% Asian, 0.53% from other races, and 2.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.89% of the population.
There were 234 households out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.6% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.00.
Cosmetology Night School Plymouth IL
Locating and enrolling in the right cosmetologist college is important 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 Night School. So be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your career as a professional cosmetologist in Plymouth IL.
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