| Once an individual has decided to pursue a career | | | | comprehensive curriculum that provides the |
| in cosmetology, the next decision to be made is | | | | students with a well-rounded cosmetology |
| where to attend cosmetology school. There are a | | | | education. Some schools also offer training in |
| number of things to look for when it comes to | | | | more specific areas of study, and if you are |
| deciding which school is right. | | | | leaning toward specializing in a certain service, |
| Accreditation | | | | such as skin care or nails, it would be worth your |
| Cosmetology schools that have been accredited | | | | while to investigate whether or not the schools |
| have met academic and institutional requirements | | | | you are considering offer such specialized training. |
| set up by a school accrediting organization, such | | | | Another good question to ask is whether the |
| as the National Accrediting Commission for | | | | school's program is self-designed according to |
| Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). | | | | student need (job skill oriented), or |
| When accrediting cosmetology schools, agencies | | | | pre-determined and essentially the same for all |
| like NACCAS look at criteria like the strength of | | | | students (state license oriented). If the goal is to |
| the curriculum, the focus of the education | | | | obtain a cosmetology license as quickly, easily, and |
| offered, the condition of the facility, the quality of | | | | inexpensively as possible, the state license |
| the faculty and administration, and the | | | | oriented curriculum is probably the way to go, but |
| requirements for admission. The main reason that | | | | if the goal is to specialize and get the job skills |
| accreditation is important for cosmetology | | | | necessary to be a successful cosmetologist, the |
| students is that accredited institutions have the | | | | job skills oriented program may be a better fit. |
| ability to offer financial aid like scholarships, grants, | | | | Educational requirements for a basic cosmetology |
| and loans to their students, while those who are | | | | education as well as for various specialized |
| not accredited do not. | | | | programs vary by state. |
| Location | | | | Cost |
| Where schools are located is another important | | | | Another important consideration for potential |
| consideration to make. Potential cosmetology | | | | cosmetology students is the cost of the program. |
| students shouldn't just consider cosmetology | | | | Cosmetology tuition varies widely according to |
| schools close to where they live; it is important to | | | | school and location. A cosmetology program in a |
| visit several schools in various locations. Obviously, | | | | metropolitan area may cost $10,000 or more |
| attending cosmetology school in an urban area will | | | | (plus transportation and parking), while a program |
| be a different type of experience for the student | | | | in a rural area could run approximately $6500. The |
| than a school located in a small town. When | | | | completion of specific programs, such as esthetics |
| choosing a school, other factors such as | | | | or nails will usually be much less, costing |
| curriculum, size, and even the feel of the campus | | | | somewhere between $3000 and $5000 on the |
| should influence an individual's decision as much or | | | | average. By choosing an accredited school, a |
| more than where the school is located. | | | | student may be able to defray some of these |
| Class Schedules | | | | costs by becoming eligible for financial aid. |
| If you are planning to work or have family | | | | Career Placement |
| responsibilities while attending cosmetology school, | | | | When choosing a cosmetology school, it is |
| it is important to check into the various class | | | | important to inquire about the career placement |
| schedules that may be available. Some schools | | | | services that may be in place at each individual |
| offer flexible scheduling, a choice of part-time or | | | | school. Important topics to ask about include the |
| full-time schooling, evening classes, internships or | | | | job placement success rate, and the type of |
| apprenticeships as part of the instruction, and | | | | reputation and relationship the school has with |
| sometimes even online training. This kind of | | | | area salons, spas, and cosmetologists. Image can |
| flexibility is student-friendly and can be | | | | be an important consideration regarding |
| instrumental to successful completion of the | | | | cosmetology schools. If the school is looked upon |
| cosmetology program. | | | | as an industry leader by salon owners, chances |
| Curriculum | | | | are graduates will be highly sought after and jobs |
| Most cosmetology schools offer a rather | | | | will be easier to obtain. |