Choosing a Cosmetology School

Individuals who are considering attending cosmetology school should do some research regarding curriculum, enrollment, cost, location, reputation, job placement services, and whether or not the school is accredited. The main benefit of enrolling in a beauty school or cosmetology school that has been accredited is that students will be eligible for financial aid. Another benefit is that accredited cosmetology schools and beauty schools have met the minimum academic requirements that are set by the accrediting agency.

The main accrediting agency for beauty schools and cosmetology schools is the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (NACCAS). Students attending an accredited beauty school or cosmetology school can be reasonably confident that the quality of the academic curriculum, the ability of the instructors, and the cosmetology school’s facilities are all at maintained at a high level. State licensing board requirements and a list of licensed training schools for cosmetologists may be obtained from: National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences, 4401 Ford Ave., Suite 1300, Alexandria, VA 22302 or www.naccas.org.

Visiting the website of the college, school or program department can be very helpful when deciding on a cosmetology school. Most institutions provide a great deal of information about their programs on their websites, including the degrees, diplomas, and/or certificates that can be obtained, the required tuition and fees, admission requirements, program schedules, faculty qualifications, and accreditation. The college’s or school’s website will most likely provide a Q@A section. Be sure to check this out – it will answer common questions about the cosmetology program.

Before deciding on a school or program, it is important to make a campus visit. Campus visits allow potential students to learn things about the institution that might not be presented in their marketing materials, such as facilities, campus lay-out, transportation and the general “feel” of the campus. Even if the college or school nearest you is not the one you are considering, a visit there can help you get a sense of what you are comparing your other choices to. While making a campus visit, you should sit in on some classes, watch students work on the clinic floor, and talk to the school’s admissions director, and if you have time, get a manicure, facial or a haircut – what better research is there?