Cosmetology Courses, Curriculum and Careers

Cosmetology Courses and Curriculum in Louisiana

Published on October 25, 2012 by: Michelle Hays

Persons who attend a cosmetology school, complete all course work and pass the State licensing exam can go on to pursue any of numerous job opportunities. This article is intended to acquaint prospective students on the basics of cosmetology courses, curriculum and career opportunities.

Cosmetology Courses and Careers

Although many people mistakenly believe that cosmetologists only cut, color and style hair, their offerings, and skills, actually go far beyond this misconception. As a licensed cosmetologist, you can perform a wide variety of duties, including makeup application, manicures and pedicures, salon manager and cosmetology instructor. Once you choose a cosmetology specialty, you can work in numerous different fields, including the theater, film, spa and salon industries. However, before you go out into the work force, you need to take the right cosmetology courses to refine your skills and prepare you for a lucrative, lifelong career.

Cosmetology License

Your cosmetology license will allow you to cut, style and color hair, as expected. However, during cosmetology school, you will also learn how to professionally apply makeup, wax and arch eyebrows, and perform manicures and pedicures. You will also learn valuable salesperson skills that will help you sell hair and nail products, and give you the ability to work well all different types of people. After you successfully complete 1,500 hours of hands-on and classroom training, you must pass your state's cosmetology examination to become gainfully employed as a cosmetologist.

Manicurist License

As a professional manicurist, you can find employment in salons, spas and nail salons. You can train for these high-demand, fast-paced jobs within an accredited cosmetology school. Expect courses on learning how to apply nail tips, nail wraps, and acrylic gel nails, as well as classes on nail chemistry and advanced nail techniques. You will also learn retail sales and client consultation skills that will help you better position yourself in the marketplace. After 500 successful hours of schooling, you must also pass your state's manicuring examination to become licensed in the state in which you live.

Teacher License

As a cosmetology teacher, you will learn valuable skills that allow you to teach cosmetology students on basic and advanced hair, skin and nail techniques. Your seven to eight month instruction includes 750 hours of preparation. During your studies, you will learn teaching and lesson plan techniques, supervisory responsibilities, student evaluation and testing theory and execution. Like all other cosmetology requirements, you must also take and pass your state's cosmetology teaching examination to obtain your license and legally secure employment.

Types of Jobs and Salary Ranges

While no exact personal earnings figures can be correctly calculated, the Bureau of Labor Statistics does provide some wage projections for people in the field. The BLS reports, that as of May 2011, cosmetologists working in the personal care services received an annual wage of $26,550. However, cosmetologists who worked in the video and motion picture industries reported a mean salary of $69,780. However, it is important to note that your salary can fluctuate throughout slow and busy times of the year, and can also reflect your personal decision to work either part or full time.

Finding Your Perfect Career

When it comes to finding your perfect career path within the cosmetology field, you need to consider some common industry working conditions. If you do not mind standing up all day long, and helping people find just the right hair cuts and styles, you are well suited for a general cosmetologist position. If you do not like standing much, you might be a better manicurist fit, if you also enjoy the work and possess a high level of demonstrated capabilities. If you really want to help other people succeed in the business, you might consider pursuing a cosmetology teaching certificate. This position gives you regular hours, a supervisory role and the chance to mentor hundreds, if not thousands, of future cosmetology industry professionals.

Cosmetology Schools in Louisiana

Cosmetology Schools and Careers

Published on October 23, 2012 by: Michelle Hays

If you are considering embarking upon a cosmetology career the cosmetology school you attend is a very important decision. The quality of your cosmetology education provides the foundation on which your career will stand. In order to become a very successful cosmetologist there are thnigs you should know about cosmetology schools in Louisiana.

Cosmetology School Facts You Need to Know

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, licensed cosmetologist employment rates will rise approximately 16 percent between 2010 and 2020. The BLS credits the demand for advanced hair treatments, and the rise in hair coloring and straightening trends, for the expected growth in cosmetology careers. As a Louisiana resident, you can pursue a cosmetology career at numerous accredited schools across the state. However, before you sign up for any school, be sure to thoroughly research the institute for post-graduate student satisfaction and rate of employment. Then, request a meeting with the school staff members to ensure that the program meets all of your criteria for current basic and advanced hair treatment methods.

Why Consider a Cosmetology Career

In addition to the project rate of job growth, a career in cosmetology also allows you to be an independent, creative artist. With the right schooling and a few years of supervised training under your belt, you can rise to the top of the hair coloring or cutting profession within an established organization, or on your own as a business owner. Cosmetology careers also give you industry trade show travel opportunities. Many successful cosmetologists earn a consistent, above-standard living. Many other successful cosmetologists also go on to develop their own signature hair cuts, coloring methods and even complete hair product lines.

Checking School Accreditation & Reputation

The National Accrediting Commission for Career Arts & Sciences (NACCAS) currently accredits more than 1,000 cosmetology schools around the country. Cosmetology schools in Louisiana can also be accredited through the U.S. Department of Education, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). You can check each organization's website, or call them directly, to inquire about each school's current accrediting standings.

After you verify your chosen school's accreditation, you should check out the school's reputation to ensure that you will obtain a cosmetology certificate from a respected organization. Browse online for any comments about the schools you are interested in. Also, ask for three to five graduate references from every school you might attend. Call or write the references, and ask for their honest options about their training and ease of job placement. Last, call local spas and hair salon owners, and ask if they recommend going to one local school over another. After you exercise your due diligence, you should be able to narrow down your cosmetology school selection down based upon Internet remarks, past graduate testimonies, and local cosmetology industry expert opinions about each school.

Types of Cosmetology Courses and Training

During cosmetology school, you will take a wide variety of classroom and hands-on training. Your courses will include classes such as scalp treatments, hair bleaching and coloring, permanent wave relaxing, hair styling, and the dermatology of skin and hair. Your classes might also include sanitation and bacteriology, eyebrow arching and dyeing, facial massage, finger waving, and manicuring and pedicuring.

Costs for Cosmetology School

As of October 2012, the total cost of cosmetology school, including books and application fees, is approximately $12,000. All or part of these fees can be paid using Federal Pell grants and student loans. You can also take out private bank loans to cover the cost of your cosmetology tuition.

Professional License Requirements in Louisiana

After you successfully complete cosmetology school, you must take and pass the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology's licensing examination. Once you pass the exam, you can work as a licensed cosmetologist within the state of Louisiana.

Alternative to Traditional Post-Secondary Education

Cosmetology Schools in Louisiana

Published on October 22, 2012 by: Michelle Hays

Whether it's basic economics or a calling to strike out on a unique path not everyone has their eyes on a traditional college education. For these people there are alternatives to traditional types of post-secondary education. Cosmetology schools are one of the most popular choices for people who want a professional career where creativity, passion and fun more than a boring desk job.

Cosmetology schools are especially good places for people who want to pursue a career that offers emoloyment flexibiliy and good income potential, but that don't have $100,000 for major college tuition. And because financial aid is available almost anyone can find a way to pay for cosmetology school.

When you compare earnings potential in the first few years after completing the required curriculum, people pursuing cosmetology careers can often outpace college graduates in paying off student loans.

Cosmetology Schools Give Students Career Options

People that choose to enroll in a cosmetology school typically share the desire to work with people, practice a trade where creativity is encouraged and have options in where they work, hours they work and how much money they can make each day.

Cosmetology schools usually offer students course curriculum to pursue full cosmetology training, manicurist training and cosmetology teacher training. The csts for these options are not the same, and generally speaking open doors for slightly different types of employment.

Full Cosmetology Training

Choosing to complete the full cosmetology training means, with license in hand, means that you can pursue any of a large assortment of job specialities. From hair stylists and make-up artists, to beuticians or salon owner you will have a lot of choices for employment. It's worth emphasizing that with a cosmetology license you can do more than look for a job - you can start and own your own business!

Manicurist Training

The manicurist option is the shortest course work of the three choices. The manicuring course allows you to finish school sooner and start making money sooner. When you finish this corse work and get your license you will be qualified to find emplyment in most any town in America.

Teacher Training

The teacher training curriculum is designed for people who want to serve as instructors at cosmetology schools or beauty schools. This education option requires more time to complete than the cosmetology or manicuring curriculum. A distinct advantage of this option is that by completing this course work you can always choose to pursue almost any type of cosmetology employment.

If a cosmetology career path is of interest to you then you should take some time to explore what is available in your area. There are many more cosmetology schools in any state than there are colleges or universities. Attending a cosmetology school probably won't require you to move away from home and pay for housing. We invite you to contact us to learn more about what we offer to people looking for cosmetology schools in Louisiana.