What Does Cosmetology Include?
The field of cosmetology covers many occupations in the personal care realm. Most cosmetologists specialize in one or more areas such as hair styling, design, braiding, or barbering. Manicurists are different than nail technicians, but you can be both, or you can choose to specialize in makeup for private clients or for theater.
Cosmetologists might work in nail salons, hair salons, spas, barber shops, or resorts as well as private facilities such as assisted living communities. They may work for an employer, rent "chair space" from an established salon or own their business outright.
Besides their special area of work, a cosmetologist mush be adept at understanding what a customer wants, making small talk, and running the business portion such as scheduling appointments and accepting payments. If you have your own business, you'll also need to know basic bookkeeping, employee scheduling, and similar chores associated with running a business.
What is the Difference between Beauty Schools and Cosmetology Schools?
Cosmetology schools usually offer one or more limited certification programs, and these are often offered in a technical school setting. The programs are designed to allow the student to enter the workforce quickly, usually in under a year.
Beauty schools are more detailed and offer more programs. Laser training, salon management, massage therapy, and fashion design are examples of specialized training you might find at a beauty school. Although beauty schools usually offer some of the same short programs found at cosmetology schools they also offer programs that take as long as two years to complete.
Typical Educational Requirements
Cosmetology school requirements vary from state to state; most have a minimum age requirement of 16. You may also be required to have a high school diploma or GED, but some states accept an entrance exam. The lower age requirement allows some students to take classes while still in high school so you should check with your state board regulations before you enroll.
Typical Certifications Needed
As mentioned above, each state requirement for certification is different. A standard example would be 16 years of age, GED or diploma, and completion of a board-approved program. You may also be required to have completed a specific number of on-the-job training hours in order to qualify.
Once you meet the requirements you can sit for the licensing exam. This may be written, practical, or both. Typical written exam topics might be salon sanitation, state laws, and chemical usage. A practical exam might be styling a mannequin to specific directions.
Your license must be renewed periodically. Although there isn't any continuing education requirement it's a good plan to stay informed on new developments that pertain to your field.
Academic Standards
Your academic standards will depend on your school of choice but it's a good plan to set your goals high. By maintaining a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher you will qualify for more types of financial aid. In addition, a higher GPA will assure acceptance into a college if and when you decide to continue your education.
Exam/Experience Needed
As mentioned before, each state has different exam and experience requirements in order to qualify to sit for the state board exam. A typical example of required experience is 1,500 total hours, which includes the class time of the program, program work hours, and apprenticeship after graduation.
Specialized programs typically have additional requirements. For example, a nail technician would need additional hours in the field of nails and cosmetology teachers are required to have additional work hours completed.
How long does it take to earn a degree or certification?
A technical or trade school cosmetology program usually lasts from 9-11 months to earn a certificate. A specialized program in a beauty school can take from nine months to two years, and an associate's degree usually takes two years of full-time attendance to complete.
Because an apprenticeship and on-the-job training is a big part of your cosmetology training you may find employment while finishing your education and fulfill your work hour requirements at the same time. Many students opt for a technical certificate program in order to enter the workforce faster. Once established in a job, they then attend college part time to earn their Associate's degree with the goal of attaining the business training needed to open their own salon or spa in the future.
How much does a certificate program cost?
The total cost of your program can vary widely depending on several factors. The length of the program, location of the school, and number of required courses can all affect the program cost. A trade school or technical school cosmetology certificate program cost ranges from $5,000 to $15,000 and a beauty school from $10,000 to $20,000; supplies and textbooks will add another $2,000 or more to the tuition total. An associate's degree typically ranges from $7,000 to $29,000.
Much or all of the costs can be covered by financial aid such as grants and scholarships, so it is important to follow through on any financial aid information offered by your school of choice before enrolling.
How many students graduate “on time”, in 12 months or 24 months?
This is an important question because it gives you an idea of how dedicated the school is to their students' success. If they don't have an easy to find percentage on their website, it may be an indication of issues within the program. Ask the admissions office; if they don't answer, look for past students and ask them about their overall experience and satisfaction with the program.
Choose the type of classes that will work best for your personal lifestyle. While much of cosmetology school is hand-on and must be done on campus many schools offer some online courses as an alternative to traveling to campus and adhering to a strict class schedule.
Does the Vocational School Have Post-Graduate Job Placement Assistance?
An established school will offer job placements to graduates, and this is vital to cosmetology students because most states require work experience in addition to completion of the coursework. If you can't find the information on the school website don't hesitate to ask and get a definitive answer before you enroll.
Why You Need to Consider the Overall National Rankings of the School and the Effects on Your Career or Salary
A school is only as good as it's reputation, so make sure your school of choice is well regarded by the industry. Graduation from a less reputable school may mean you have to accept a lower salary. If your prospective employer recognizes and respects your school, it will give you a solid foundation on which to build your career in cosmetology.
Professional Organizations
ABA
American Beauty Association
offers master training courses, national discounts, wholesale product pricing,
PBA
Professional Beauty Association
industry trends and news, scholarships, insurance, industry show discounts, free magazine subscriptions, and education discounts for all members.
ACSP
Association of Cosmetology Salon Professionals
offers members community outreach opportunities, networking, leadership and mentoring opportunities as well as insurance discounts, legal plans, and identity theft insurance.