| Online cosmetology education can save you | | | | 3. Do you need a package or an individual course? |
| valuable time and money. All you need is an | | | | Some providers combine courses into a package |
| internet connection, and you can take courses | | | | to meet all of your CE requirements. Generally, |
| any time you choose. Online courses are less | | | | buying a package is cheaper than purchasing |
| expensive than on-site classes because there are | | | | individual courses; however you should consider |
| no travel expenses or instructors' fees. Currently, | | | | individual courses if you have already completed |
| Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, North | | | | some of your continuing education hours or if the |
| Carolina, Nebraska, Ohio and Texas allow you to | | | | courses in the package do not meet your needs. |
| take cosmetology license renewal courses online. | | | | For more flexibility, look for a provider that offers |
| While there are many cosmetology continuing | | | | both packages and individual courses. |
| education providers, answering the following | | | | 4. Can you try before you buy? Look for clear |
| questions will help you choose the one that is right | | | | course descriptions and the option to try out the |
| for you. | | | | course before you pay for it. Some providers |
| | | | allow you to take the entire course for free |
| 1. What type of learning do you prefer? There | | | | before paying. Others offer free course demos |
| are two types of online courses. Web-based | | | | but require payment before you can take the |
| courses present all of the course information | | | | actual class. Either method is fine as long as you |
| online. Hybrid courses require you to download | | | | are comfortable with the course format and |
| class materials in a PDF format. Both types of | | | | information. If you like the course, it doesn't really |
| online courses generally offer you the option of | | | | matter when you are required to pay for it. |
| completing any required tests online. If you prefer | | | | 5. What kind of support does the provider offer? |
| to have physical course materials to review, then | | | | Some providers offer customer support 24 hours |
| you should consider enrolling in a hybrid course. | | | | a day. Since cosmetologists typically work |
| However, if you prefer an interactive learning | | | | unconventional hours, this type of support |
| experience, a Web-based course might be right | | | | availability will help you get your questions |
| for you. | | | | answered at a time that works for you. |
| 2. Have the provider and courses been approved | | | | 6. What Do You Know About the Company? |
| by the state board? Most state boards of | | | | Avoid unscrupulous providers by looking for |
| cosmetology only accept continuing education | | | | information about the company and key |
| hours that have been previously approved. Be | | | | management. Also, search for multiple points of |
| sure to visit the website of your state's | | | | contact such as an e-mail address, toll free |
| cosmetology board prior to enrolling in any course | | | | number, live chat link and physical address. |
| to determine if the provider and the course have | | | | Copyright 2009 Carmella B. Wilson. |
| been approved. | | | | |