What to Look for in a Hair Styling School

When you first start your journey toward becoming a hairstylist, you’re probably going to be looking for a hair styling school. Beauty schools and cosmetology schools can be a great starting point for this process, but you’ll need to know exactly what you’re looking for. That’s why it can be helpful to have questions that will guide you to a great hair school.

There are many, many different cosmetology schools and hair schools out there. Not all of them provide the same level of quality in their programs, however. If you really want to learn what styling hair is like, you’re going to want a good hair styling or cosmetology program. Here are a few questions you can ask about a school to see whether they’re a good fit.

Is the hair styling school accredited?

Accreditation is not technically necessary, but it can be a good sign that your school fits the criteria that the beauty industry finds important. This can help prepare you to get your cosmetology license in the future and be a more professional hair stylist. Additionally, accreditation is often an education requirement for a school to offer federal financial aid, so if you’re going to need student aid, this can be an important question.

Is the hair styling school accessible?

Accessibility, in both a physical sense and a general setup sense, is extremely important for a hair stylist school. Sure, your future career might allow you to work your own hours, but before you can become a successful hair stylist, you need to be able to get through your education. Whether you’re looking to learn how to style hair at night school or you need to find a location that’s near your job so you can quickly drive over after work, an accessible location can go a long way toward improving your cosmetology education.

What is the curriculum like?

Different beauty careers may need different types of training. You may need to learn about specific professional tools, styling techniques, natural skincare products, and beauty services geared toward your ideal eventual career. Different schools may provide hands-on training that’s more geared toward a passion for hair or information about nail technology. Even if a school does primarily offer a hands-on experience geared toward a hair styling career, they may specifically highlight different hair services, like hair color, that you may or may not be especially interested in. Checking out the curriculum can help you determine if a specific course is right for your professional career.

What class schedules are available?

Different schedules may be best for different people. Whether you’re trying to work around a nine-to-five work schedule or you just tend to see yourself as a “Night Owl,” different cosmetology training programs will have different training hours. Finding a schedule that works for your needs is going to be key so you can get the correct number of clock hours and meet the minimum requirements for your state’s cosmetology licensing board.

What are the tuition fees like?

Most people, unfortunately, don’t live in a world where they can just embark on the journey toward becoming a licensed hair designer without thinking about how expensive it might be for them. On top of learning more about the actual tuition fees, you may also want to check whether a specific school offers financial assistance, including both financial aid through the school and aid through a federal program. This can help prepare you for the program that makes sense for your needs.

Finding a hair styling school that works for you

It shouldn’t be too exceptionally hard to find a hair styling school that’s right for your individual needs. Ideally, a hair styling school that works well for your needs should be easy to access; there are lots of cosmetology schools that want to help you achieve your dream job. However, to make sure that you get the benefits that you’ve been hoping for, it’s important that you do your research and talk to a variety of hair styling schools. One great starting point is Evergreen Beauty College, which offers hair styling programs for all kinds of future professionals. Check out your options with Evergreen Beauty College to get started today.

FAQ: What to look for in a hair styling school

Do you need previous knowledge to enroll in a hair styling school?

You don’t need any prior experience to start studying for the hairstyling industry. You can end up developing a successful career without knowing the first thing about scalp treatments or permanent waves. Just make sure you talk to the admissions specialist when you first start having conversations about your options. They’ll let you know what to expect in your first few weeks.

How long does it take to complete a hair styling program?

It depends on the specific program, as well as whether you’re attending part-time or full-time. If you’re attending the hair styling program at Evergreen Beauty College, there may be specific lengths for your program. Different programs will vary significantly, however, so it’s extremely important that you ask questions for your specific program. Remember that attending part-time will also increase the amount of time it takes to complete a program.

What are the requirements for enrolling in a hair styling school?

Most hair styling schools just require that you have your GED or high school diploma and that you are at least 18 years old. There are no prerequisite exams you need to take in order to become a potential student at a hair styling school. You’ll learn everything you need to know to succeed in your classes. Having some general knowledge about the beauty industry can definitely be helpful, and some colleges may require you to purchase certain professional tools before your first day of classes. However, outside of that, there are no significant and common requirements.