Beauty school offers a wide range of courses and career options. There are four things to consider when looking for a beauty school: accreditation, reputation, course offerings, and cost. All four items have an impact on the quality of the instruction provided and the level of skill that students obtain.
Beauty school is a requirement for many jobs in cosmetology, hairstyling, nail technology and electrolysis. Most of these jobs require licenses from the state. These requirements are in place to protect the public due to the health concerns and potential disease transmission that can occur when performing beauty related services.
Accredited beauty schools have met specific academic and administrative requirements. In the United States, the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS) is the largest accreditation firm. They act on behalf of the US Department of Education and evaluate the course curriculum, facilities, staff qualifications and administration policies. Only accredited schools are able to provide financial aid to students through government programs.
The reputation of a beauty school is an important consideration. Attending a top school with a reputation for quality training programs may enhance your resume and open new doors for you. A good reputation may result in increased internship or co-operative opportunities. Industry connections are very important when selecting a school. The more established schools with good reputations often arrange talent shows or competitions to showcase their students work.
Look at the course offerings to help you select the best school. There are two types of schools: specialized and general. A specialized school offers courses in just one aspect, such as hair styling. A general school offers courses in multiple areas of the beauty industry.
If you are looking at a specialized school, reputation becomes more important. Review the program options, advanced courses and continuing education. Talk with graduates and current students about employment opportunities and degree of difficult.
For a general school, explore the breadth of courses available. Look for cross training opportunities between industries and the chance to learn multiple skills. These options improve your skill sets and increase your employment opportunities.
Cost is an important consideration when selecting a beauty school. A full cosmetology diploma from a general beauty school can cost between $6,400 and $10,000 US Dollars (USD). Specialist schools have different pricing, based on the reputation and popularity of their product. Explore scholarship and bursaries organized by the school to assist with tuition costs. Include the cost of material, books, tools and transportation in the total costs.