Q&A About Starting Your New Career at Summit Salon Academy KC

Spring is here, and that’s a time of renewal. It’s the perfect time to start thinking about your new career in the cosmetology or esthetics industry, and we’re excited to help you here at Summit Salon Academy KC. Today, we’ll explore some of the questions we hear most often from potential students who are about to enroll in one of our exciting career programs.

What’s the difference between cosmetology and esthetics?

This is a common question we hear as students browse through our program catalog. Simply put, cosmetology is more about hair – cutting, coloring, and styling – and esthetics is all about skincare. But that doesn’t mean you won’t learn a little of everything in your program. You’ll also learn about skincare, facials, and hair removal in our cosmetology program, and you’ll learn about other wellness aspects like massage and nail care in our esthetics program. Our well-rounded curriculum focuses in on the primary program while adding a comprehensive overall education so you can succeed in your career.

Is a high school diploma required to enroll?

Because you’ll be most successful in our program after completing 12th grade, we recommend that you do have a high school diploma before enrolling. However, a GED is also accepted to indicate a 12th grade-level education. If you’ve lost your diploma but did complete 12th grade, you can also provide a high school transcript to meet the requirement.

Are the classes held year-round?

Our programs begin as cycles every 9th week, so connect with us to find out when the next cycle will begin for the program that you’re interested in.

Will I get to practice my skills on real clients?

Yes, real-world experience is valuable, so it’s an important part of our cosmetology and esthetics programs here at Summit Salon Academy KC. We’ve created a full-service luxury salon & spa experience where our students deliver services on real clients, so you’ll get the hands-on experience you need to succeed. Each program begins with comprehensive skills and theory training, and after that you’ll begin to work in the salon & spa with real clients! Hands-on experience is about much more than practicing skills like hair cutting and facials. It’s also about practicing excellent customer service and effective communication so that you can deliver great customer satisfaction. Part of the comprehensive training in our programs centers on the skills you need to communicate effectively with your own clients in the future, so you’ll be able to build up your clientele.

Will I be able to open my own salon after finishing the program? 

The cosmetology and esthetics programs at Summit Salon Academy KC train you in all the practical skills, health and safety protocols, and business skills you’ll need if you decide to work for yourself. When you complete the program, you’re eligible to sit for the Missouri State Cosmetology or Esthetician License exam, which will qualify you to work anywhere in your field. You can perfect your skills and build up clients by working in an established luxury salon & spa, or you can get started right away on your own, although it may take time to increase your income without developing your clientele first. Either way, your future is all up to you!

What kind of training will I get in each program?

All of our programs at Summit Salon Academy KC are comprehensive, so the best way to discover what you’ll learn in each program is to review our course descriptions. You’ll find information on our cosmetology program here, and on our esthetics program here.

Are you ready for a career change? Connect with our education professionals at Summit Salon Academy KC and discover the exciting possibilities of a career in esthetics or cosmetology today! Our world-class training programs and exceptional student support will give you the skills, knowledge, and confidence you need to succeed. You can find us at 815 West 23rd St S in Independence, MO, or call us at (816) 252-4247 x303 for admissions information. You can also take our online career assessment to see if the cosmetology or esthetics fields are right for you. Message us online to ask questions and learn more about our exciting world-class programs. For more information, you can also schedule a tour of our exceptional career education programs.