How to Compare Cosmetology Schools Marietta OK

How to Enroll In the Right Cosmetologist College near Marietta Oklahoma

Marietta OK wedding makeup artist with client Once you have decided to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Marietta OK, the task starts to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It’s important that the school you pick not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat puzzled 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 type of school. We’ll speak a little bit further about that in the following section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Marietta home. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when assessing prospective schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not automatically the ideal choice. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning 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 kinds of programs are offered.

Defining Cosmetology

Marietta OK hair stylist cutting hair Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human anatomy look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually 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, most states mandate that you undergo some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Marietta OK beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many professional names and are employed in a wide range of specializations 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 certain states there is an exemption. Only those performing more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Degrees and Certificates

nail techs training at Marietta OK beauty school There are primarily two pathways offered to obtain 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 typically require 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 all of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you wish to focus on just one area, for example 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 Marietta OK business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you go with, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s approved by the Oklahoma Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the next section.

Online Cosmetology Programs

student attending online beauty school in Marietta OK Online cosmetology programs are convenient for Marietta OK students who are employed full-time and have family obligations that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended by means of a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty schools are frequently fast paced because many courses 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 covering the same volume of material, but you are not spending numerous hours away from your home or travelling back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s imperative that the school you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Cosmetology Degree Programs

Questions to ask Marietta OK cosmetology schools Following is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any beauty training program you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Marietta OK residence, together with the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly 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 reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have collected several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the cosmetology school you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified 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 ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 73448 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Marietta OK 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 Good Reputation? Each cosmetologist school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Marietta OK salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. Finally, contact the Oklahoma 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? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your goal is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to start a hair salon in Marietta OK, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you need.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty academy furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So look for alternate schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s crucial that she or he gets help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develope relationships with Marietta OK employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available? Almost all cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn 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 accessible to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an alternative before you learn what financial help may be provided.

Considering Cosmetology Schools in Marietta OK?

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

Marietta, Oklahoma

Marietta is a city in and county seat of Love County, Oklahoma, United States.[3] The population was 2,626 at the 2010 census, a 7.4 percent increase from 2,445 at the 2000 census.[4] Marietta is part of the Ardmore, Oklahoma Micropolitan Statistical Area. It is also a part of the Texoma region.

Settlers were attracted by the fertile land near the Red River, which was conducive to agriculture and cattle raising. Cotton quickly became the principal crop. William "Bill" Washington had the largest cattle ranch in Pickens County, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory. Bill's brother, Jerry Washington, who lived about a mile north of present-day Marietta, became the town's first postmaster when the post office opened on December 20, 1887. A local story claims that the town was named for Jerry's wife.[5]

The Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway (later the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway) laid its rail line in early 1887, stimulating economic growth for the future town of Marietta, Indian Territory. The first train ran July 28, 1887.[5]

Marietta OK barber trimming hair Locating and enrolling in the ideal cosmetology program is important to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. You originally came to this website because you have an interest in learning more about How to Compare Cosmetology Schools. So be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the responses you get from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. 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 proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Marietta OK.