How to Pick the Best Cosmetology Degree Program near Oakdale Illinois
Once you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Oakdale IL, the process starts to search for and enroll in the right school. It’s essential that the school you choose not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be rather confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We’ll speak a little bit more regarding that in the following segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Oakdale residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when evaluating prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it’s not necessarily the right option. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are offered.
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What is Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human anatomy look more beautiful through the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are described 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, most states require that you take some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Oakdale 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, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many names and are employed 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 practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
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Cosmetology Degrees
There are essentially two pathways offered 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 usually take 12 to 18 months to finish, 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 major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you wish to focus on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also likely incorporate management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Oakdale IL business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you decide on, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s certified by the Illinois Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only approve schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the upcoming section.
Online Cosmetology Classes
Online cosmetology classes are convenient for Oakdale IL students who are employed full time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of online cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended through a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are frequently fast paced because many programs are as short as six or eight months. This means that a substantial amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or travelling to and from classes. However, it’s imperative that the training program you pick can provide internship training in local 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 acquire the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So make sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Beauty Training Programs
Following is a list of questions that you should investigate for any cosmetology training program you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Oakdale IL home, as well as the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue 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 even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make certain that the cosmetology school you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, 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 can also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in 62268 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Oakdale IL employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every cosmetologist college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews together with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Oakdale IL salon owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, check with the Illinois school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you enroll in a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your objective is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to start a hair salon in Oakdale IL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So look for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a beauty program, it’s imperative that he or she gets help in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with Oakdale IL businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Many beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved 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 except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you learn what financial assistance may be provided.
Beautician Colleges Oakdale Illinois
Finding and enrolling in the right beauty school is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. You originally came to this website because you have an interest in Beautician Colleges and learning more about the topic College For Cosmetology. So be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to start your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Oakdale IL.
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Oakdale, Illinois
As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 213 people, 85 households, and 62 families residing in the village. The population density was 128.3 people per square mile (49.5/km²). There were 92 housing units at an average density of 55.4 per square mile (21.4/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 96.71% White, 0.47% Native American, and 2.82% from two or more races.
There were 85 households out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.7% were married couples living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% were non-families. 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the village, the population was spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.5 males.
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