2 answers
Anna
Student
1
Question
Asked
1742 views
How do I become a cosmetologist?
How do I become a cosmetologist, I am currently a 9th-grade high school student wanting to become a cosmetologist and want to start learning the basics. Classes online preferably. I also want to own a cosmetology business as well.
Login to comment
2 answers
Michael Torio
Consultant - Data Reporting & Analysis (HQ Finance)
240
Answers
Alpharetta, Georgia
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hi Anna:
Educational Pathway for a career in Cosmetology :
One needs to earn a high school degree or a general educational development (GED) before pursuing Cosmetology school. Cosmetology school is around 12 months at a private beauty school. At these schools, a number of hours are required to complete. According to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), the national average of required hours is between 1,400 to 1,600 to depending on the state where the school is located.
An Associates Degree can be earned at a community or technical college. This will take two years to accomplish. In either scenario at a private beauty school or at a community or technical college, there are costs involved for the programs, hands on training, etc. Cosmetology costs can be up to $20,000+ for tuition, books, fees, supplies, etc.
When considering a Cosmetology program, several things need to be researched:
- The Cosmetology program is state approved, especially for licensing.
- Program reviews will need to be considered from alumni and current students.
- Programs are checked for high rates for graduation.
- Career placement after graduation
- Financial assistance for the Cosmetology program
- Hands-On Training and Apprenticeship Programs
- Continuing education opportunities after graduation
Hope this information helps and best wishes for your career and owning your own business in Cosmetology!
Educational Pathway for a career in Cosmetology :
One needs to earn a high school degree or a general educational development (GED) before pursuing Cosmetology school. Cosmetology school is around 12 months at a private beauty school. At these schools, a number of hours are required to complete. According to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), the national average of required hours is between 1,400 to 1,600 to depending on the state where the school is located.
An Associates Degree can be earned at a community or technical college. This will take two years to accomplish. In either scenario at a private beauty school or at a community or technical college, there are costs involved for the programs, hands on training, etc. Cosmetology costs can be up to $20,000+ for tuition, books, fees, supplies, etc.
When considering a Cosmetology program, several things need to be researched:
- The Cosmetology program is state approved, especially for licensing.
- Program reviews will need to be considered from alumni and current students.
- Programs are checked for high rates for graduation.
- Career placement after graduation
- Financial assistance for the Cosmetology program
- Hands-On Training and Apprenticeship Programs
- Continuing education opportunities after graduation
Hope this information helps and best wishes for your career and owning your own business in Cosmetology!
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1179
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Anna !
I would like to give you some advice but what you've asked is a lot to cover here. I will try to answer your questions, however, and I commend you for finding your passion early on. Since you are in ninth grade right now, you can take classes that will help you with the human health sciences. Cosmetology school will be different and more specific classes that apply directly to hair, skin, chemicals, tools and implements and products. You can obtain some very useful tips and technical instructions on line now, but cosmetology is one of those fields of work in which you must study in person. Some high schools have a cosmetology program and I assume that yours does not. If your school does, enroll in it and you can take the state board through that path and not have to go to a community cosmetology school. My high school did have a cosmetology department and the students were in it for 10th, 11th and 12th grade and than eligible for their licensure. You also didn't include your town, so I won't be able to provide you with a list of community schools in your area, however I think I could shed some light on what you need to do.
After high school graduation, enroll in cosmetology school in the state that you intend to work in. After your studies there are completed, you will take the state board exam for your license. I than suggest getting a job doing hair in a salon or two. You can also freelance and do home hair care in which you go to the customer's home as a private service, like freelancing. I would suggest that you work in salons for at least five years or more to learn the ins and outs of the business, something you will also learn in cosmetology school, but you will need lots of hands on experience and knowledge of how to run a business since you intend to own your own salon eventually. While you are doing this, you should save as much money as you can because opening a business, and most definitely a hair salon, is quite expensive. You will need to pay for rent or purchase a building for the salon, purchase equipment, machinery, hair products, tools and décor and furniture for the salon and pay for utilities. You will also need to pay staff and for any business licensure that your state requires.
For some classes on line, the Schedulicity website has a list that may be helpful for you right now. I have provided a link to it for you below. You are right about taking classes now because once you go to cosmetology school, you will have a basic foundation by studying on line now.
Even though you may successfully be doing people's hair now, for friends and family, there really is a lot to learn so I urge you to start by going to cosmetology school, than obtaining employment both at salons and doing freelance work once you get your license. I hope that this has been a little helpful and I wish you all the best with your exciting and creative career in cosmetology !
https://www.schedulicity.com/essentials/blog/free-online-cosmetology-classes/ FREE ONLINE COSMETOLOGY CLASSES
I would like to give you some advice but what you've asked is a lot to cover here. I will try to answer your questions, however, and I commend you for finding your passion early on. Since you are in ninth grade right now, you can take classes that will help you with the human health sciences. Cosmetology school will be different and more specific classes that apply directly to hair, skin, chemicals, tools and implements and products. You can obtain some very useful tips and technical instructions on line now, but cosmetology is one of those fields of work in which you must study in person. Some high schools have a cosmetology program and I assume that yours does not. If your school does, enroll in it and you can take the state board through that path and not have to go to a community cosmetology school. My high school did have a cosmetology department and the students were in it for 10th, 11th and 12th grade and than eligible for their licensure. You also didn't include your town, so I won't be able to provide you with a list of community schools in your area, however I think I could shed some light on what you need to do.
After high school graduation, enroll in cosmetology school in the state that you intend to work in. After your studies there are completed, you will take the state board exam for your license. I than suggest getting a job doing hair in a salon or two. You can also freelance and do home hair care in which you go to the customer's home as a private service, like freelancing. I would suggest that you work in salons for at least five years or more to learn the ins and outs of the business, something you will also learn in cosmetology school, but you will need lots of hands on experience and knowledge of how to run a business since you intend to own your own salon eventually. While you are doing this, you should save as much money as you can because opening a business, and most definitely a hair salon, is quite expensive. You will need to pay for rent or purchase a building for the salon, purchase equipment, machinery, hair products, tools and décor and furniture for the salon and pay for utilities. You will also need to pay staff and for any business licensure that your state requires.
For some classes on line, the Schedulicity website has a list that may be helpful for you right now. I have provided a link to it for you below. You are right about taking classes now because once you go to cosmetology school, you will have a basic foundation by studying on line now.
Even though you may successfully be doing people's hair now, for friends and family, there really is a lot to learn so I urge you to start by going to cosmetology school, than obtaining employment both at salons and doing freelance work once you get your license. I hope that this has been a little helpful and I wish you all the best with your exciting and creative career in cosmetology !
Michelle recommends the following next steps: