Cosmetology Certificate Shelby MI - Train to Be a Cosmetologist

How to Find the Best Cosmetology Degree Program near Shelby Michigan

Shelby MI beauty salon Now that you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Shelby MI, the process begins to locate and enroll in the best school. It’s imperative that the program you select not only furnishes the appropriate education for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be a little bit confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll talk a bit further concerning that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Shelby residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical aspect when reviewing prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it’s not always the ideal choice. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are offered.

Start Your Career in Cosmetology By Requesting Your Free Information Below

Definition of Cosmetology

Shelby MI makeup school student Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human anatomy look more attractive through the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states mandate that you take some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Shelby MI beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a client base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients 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 range of specialties including:

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

As already mentioned, in the majority of 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. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Click Here to Get Free Information on Cosmetology Schools Near You!

Cosmetologist Certificates and Degrees

Shelby MI hair design student cutting hair There are essentially two options offered to receive 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 generally 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 instructed in each of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you wish to concentrate on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely incorporate management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Shelby MI business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you decide on, it’s important to make sure that it’s certified by the Michigan Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the upcoming section.

Online Cosmetology Courses

Shelby MI student attending online beauty school Online cosmetology schools are convenient for Shelby MI students who are employed 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 attended via a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty programs are typically fast paced due to the fact that many courses are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a considerable amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not spending many hours away from your home or driving to and from classes. However, it’s important that the training program you select can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to acquire the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. 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 Cosmetology Degree Programs

Questions to ask Shelby MI cosmetology schools Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any beauty training school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Shelby MI home, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have compiled some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the cosmetology school you choose 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in 49455 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Shelby MI employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any cosmetology school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Shelby MI salon owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the Michigan school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you decide on a school that specializes in 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 respected for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a hair salon in Shelby MI, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you need.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a beauty school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So search for other schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s crucial that he or she gets assistance in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with Shelby MI businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which salons and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Many beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak with 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 available to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an option before you find out what financial assistance may be provided.

Cosmetology Certificate Shelby Michigan

Shelby MI nail tech students in training Selecting and enrolling in the ideal cosmetology program is imperative to receive the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. You originally came to this website because you have an interest in Cosmetology Certificate and learning more about the topic Schools For Cosmetology. So be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A reasonable 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 field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are ready to start your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Shelby MI.