Before becoming a professional hairstylist, makeup artist, or nail technician, you must attend beauty school to receive the training and experience needed to qualify for a cosmetology license. This guide explores why people go to beauty school and how an education in cosmetology will help prepare you for an entry-level job in the beauty industry.
Who Goes to Beauty School?
Beauty school is for those with a passion for helping people look and feel their best. During the hands-on training of beauty school, you will have the opportunity to work with real clients. As you learn and apply the latest beauty trends in hair, skin, and nails, you will help your clients change the way they see themselves. You’ll also experience the fulfilling and rewarding satisfaction of changing or enhancing your clients’ appearance.
What You’ll Learn in Beauty School
Attending beauty school is the first step toward gaining the entry-level skills needed to begin a professional cosmetologist career. Beauty school courses will help you learn about the basic science and properties of hair, skin, and nails, as well as the best styling products and how to properly use and apply them. You will receive training in hair cutting, styling, and coloring methods, and learn the latest trends and techniques in skincare, makeup, nail care and design.
What Beauty School Prepares You For
The training you receive in beauty school can open doors for a wide range of opportunities in the cosmetology industry. Program graduates will be able to work in salons or start their own cosmetology business.Beauty school can help prepare you for the following job functions and opportunities:
- Salon management and operations, including sanitation and safety procedures
- Business tasks for salon professionals, including sales, marketing, and customer service
- Teaching students as a beauty school instructor
Most importantly, you must be licensed to work as a professional cosmetologist, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Through an accredited curriculum and hands-on practical experience in a real salon, graduates of Midwest Technical Institute’s Cosmetology Program are well prepared for state licensing exams. All states, including Missouri and Illinois, require a license to practice cosmetology.
Cosmetology Licensing
In Illinois, students of the MTI’s Cosmetology Program are required to complete the following in order to qualify for a license with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR):
- 1,500 hours of practical experience in the salon (this requirement is fulfilled while enrolled in MTI’s Cosmetology Program)
- After completing MTI’s Cosmetology Program, graduates will need to take a written exam in salon safety and sanitation, cutting and styling hair, nail and skin services, and other skills. Students will need to do this on their own after graduation and the exam will not be included in the program at MTI.
In Missouri, the Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners regulates and licenses cosmetologists in the state. The state also requires completion of:
- 1,500 hours of salon experience in a board-approved school of cosmetology (this requirement is fulfilled while enrolled in MTI’s Cosmetology Program)
- After graduating from MTI’s Cosmetology Program, students will need to complete the state’s written theory cosmetology exam and a practical skills exam in order to get their license. These exams evaluate the student’s skills in haircutting, thermal curling and chemical waving, hair coloring, highlighting, and more. This exam will not be included in the Cosmetology Program at MTI and students will need to complete the exams on their own outside of the program.
Beauty School at Midwest Technical Institute
SOURCES
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/barbers-hairstylists-and-cosmetologists.htm
- https://pr.mo.gov/boards/cosmetology/cib/Missouri%20Cosmetology%20CIB.PDF
- https://www.idfpr.com/renewals/apply/Forms/305ILCOSMOGuide.pdf
- https://www.idfpr.com/profs/cosmo.asp
- https://pr.mo.gov/cosbar.asp
- https://www.midwesttech.edu/programs/cosmetology-training/
