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Attending Cosmetology School
Related Topics: Cosmetology School | Cosmetology Career Zone
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Educational Requirements
Before taking the licensing exam and entering the field, cosmetologist students must first complete a certain level of traditional education and a state-approved beauty school program. The exact requirements you’ll need to meet will depend on your home state, so it’s important to contact your state’s licensing board before you leave high school and enroll in a cosmetology program.
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For example, in Michigan, you must complete a ninth-grade education and an approved cosmetology program – enrolling in an unapproved course will only set you back in the licensing process.
Choosing a Cosmetology Program
Depending on your geographic location, your choices in cosmetology programs may be limited. Most community colleges and technical programs offer one- or two-year programs to prepare you for the licensing exam. These programs include a variety of courses on everything from cutting techniques to cosmetology theory to the customer service skills you’ll need to work in the field.
If possible, try to get reviews from former students who have graduated from the program you’re thinking about attending. Ask how well they felt the program prepared them for their careers and how easy it was for them to find jobs after graduation.
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If you have more than one option to consider, look into what each specific curriculum will cover. How many hours are spent in lecture and how many will be spent in the lab, learning about cosmetology hands-on? While it’s important to study the theory behind cosmetology, hands-on training is where you’ll really develop your skills. Don’t be afraid to contact the professors before enrolling to ask what specific techniques they teach. For example, if you eventually want to specialize in highlights and hair coloring, you’ll want to find a teacher who specializes in the latest techniques in that field.
In addition, you may want to look into a product-specific training program, depending on your professional interests. For example, the Aveda Institute offers an approved cosmetology program in many states that focuses on using Aveda’s natural products as part of a holistic hair care approach. If you aren’t yet sure what you want to specialize in, a general focus program will give you a good introduction to the many areas and products involved in the cosmetology field.
Practical Considerations
If you have a family, or plan to balance your training with a full-time job, you may want to look for a program that offers flexible scheduling or night courses. Fortunately, more and more beauty schools are offering these alternative courses in response to the changing demands of students’ lives. Money is also a concern, so be sure to add up what each individual program will cost you. Be sure to take into account the amount of money you’ll need to spend on supplies and materials – some programs include these in their fees, while others charge as much as $2,000 on top of tuition fees. If the cost of a beauty school program still seems out of reach for you, ask the schools if they offer any scholarships or loans to help offset the amount of tuition you’ll pay.
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