Requirements, Policies and Career Planning
Requirements, Policies and Career Planning
For successful completion of the Cosmetology Program and to receive a diploma, a student must:
1. Complete and pass Senior Practical and Written Exams with a minimum score of 80%.
2. Complete and pass Foundations, Junior, Master and Leadership Skills sheets.
3. Fulfill minimum grade and class attendance requirements for written and practical work.
4. Complete a Portfolio and Resume.
5. Meet all financial obligations to SOHO Hair Academy.
6. Complete 2100 hours of training.
To obtain a cosmetology license in Iowa, a student must:
- Have 2100 hours in an approved school with a diploma awarded upon graduation.
- Be eighteen years of age or older at the time of the State Board Exam.
- Pay application, examination, and/or license fees to the State of Iowa.
- Have a high school diploma or proof of passing G.E.D.
- Complete and pass the Iowa State Board Exam.
For complete information about specific licensing requirements in any state, assistance may be found by contacting SOHO Hair Academy.
At SOHO Hair Academy, we believe that progress reviews are an essential part of the student-instructor relationship. Our team takes great pride in working closely with each and every student, providing feedback and guidance along the way. Progress reviews allow us to evaluate a student’s progress and identify areas of opportunity. This helps us tailor our instruction to best meet the needs of each individual. All work is supervised, strong points emphasized, and areas of opportunity are worked on to bring them to an acceptable level. If problems arise regarding attendance, grades, technical or personal performance, students are counseled by staff to determine the reason and measures to be taken to correct the situation on an individual basis. By investing in our students’ success, we believe that every student has the ability to succeed, and we’ll do everything we can to help them reach their goals.
Nestled in a quiet area of Council Bluffs just east of Downtown Omaha and minutes off of I-80, SOHO Hair Academy is a spacious, eclectic campus providing an outstanding learning environment. Our facility has an expansive clinic area, multiple classrooms, administrative offices, an auditorium, a student lounge with refrigerator, microwave and lockers. We have upgraded technology in the classrooms and installed fiber internet for uninterrupted webs service. A fully stocked vending machine is available for all students and staff.
SOHO Hair Academy students are a reflection of the Academy and the professional beauty industry. It is important to maintain a professional appearance at all times, especially when you are representing yourself and your skills. When engaging in a service experience with a team it’s essential that the guests perceive the same level of professionalism from you through both words and actions. Students are to maintain their dress, shoes, hair, nails and makeup at a professional level at all times. Attractive appearance is stressed because it communicates success, team work, level of service and ability in business.
It is the policy of SOHO Hair Academy to comply with the Iowa Smokefree Air Act by declaring the entire grounds and property as a Smoke-Free Campus. This policy applies to all SOHO employees and students.
SOHO Hair Academy, complies with the Omnibus Drug Initiative Act of 1988, the Drug-Free Workplace Act (1988), and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (1989). These legislations provide the standards necessary to provide a drug-free environment for students and employees.
In reference to the right of privacy for students, SOHO Hair Academy will release information contained in the student’s cumulative record file only with the written authorization of the student (or parental guardian if the student is a dependent minor) for such a release except as required under federal, state, or local laws (i.e., government and accrediting agencies do not need expressed permission from a student to view student records). The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. Except for the special conditions described below, a student (or Parent/Guardian of a dependent minor) must provide a signed and dated written consent before the Academy may disclose information from the student’s records. The consent must state the purpose of the disclosure, specify the records that may be disclosed and identify to whom the disclosure may be made. The Academy does not publish a directory of student information.
If a student in Foundations needs to request time off they must meet with an instructor or the Director for approval prior to their absence. We do not recommend missing any hours during Foundations training. Absences may result in an administrative suspension until the theory and practical material can be made up. This ensures the student’s competency before moving into the next segment of training. On some occasions the student may have to terminate and re-enroll when the required segment is available again.
If a Senior student needs to request time off for any reason they must submit in writing a minimum of three days prior to the days the student will be absent. It is the student’s responsibility to meet the attendance requirements as stated in the Academy’s Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.
Early is on time. At SOHO Hair Academy we have zero tolerance for tardiness. Students have a responsibility to themselves, their instructors, their peers, and to the guests to be in the building, clocked-in and prepared for the day. As a professional it is the students responsibility to be here on time.
We want to hold space for personal time that students may need to take for family, sick time, personal business and vacation. We expect that these days are planned in advance to honor the instructors and guests time. Senior cosmetology students are allowed 150 hours over the course of their program to be absent at no charge provided they remain at or above the required attendance rate of 84.6%. These personal days must be requested and approved in advance.
SOHO Hair Academy does not and will not recruit students already attending or admitted to another school offering a similar program of study.
A student wishing to transfer to SOHO Hair Academy should follow the application process outlined above. In addition, official academic and financial aid transcripts from each post-secondary institution previously attended must be submitted.
SOHO Hair Academy may accept credits and/or hours from cosmetology schools accredited by nationally or regionally accredited (i.e. NACCAS, or North Central Association) post-secondary institutions on a credit-for-credit or hour-for-hour basis provided the credits or hours were earned with a “passing grade” and are verified by the State Cosmetology Board in the state in which the credits or hours were earned. Credits or hours earned in an unaccredited institution will be evaluated separately based on the recommendation of the State Cosmetology Board and an examination of the transfer applicant’s skills and knowledge by the SOHO Hair Academy school official. There is no assumption made that hours earned in another institution shall be accepted on a credit-for-credit or hour-for-hour basis.
To be eligible for a diploma from SOHO Hair Academy, in addition to meeting all diploma requirements as stated under “Graduation Requirements,” a student must be in attendance at an SOHO Hair Academy for the final 1050 hours of the 2100 hour course.
We are committed to helping you find employment through strong relationships with metro area salons, our job posting resource and our community support network. Students also receive training in professionalism, job search skills, including how to write a resume, effectively promote themselves, complete an application and prepare for a professional interview.
Compensation for a graduate depends on a variety of factors. If you secure employment based on an hourly wage, your starting wage will be minimum or above with the potential for increases and a bonus. If you choose a career path in a commission environment, your wages will depend on the average ticket of the salon and what percentages are used for compensation. (ie: 40% to 60%) If you were to become an independent business and lease a station/suite, you would pay a monthly rent for the space and all expenses for business operation. Hourly and commission based salons may include a variety of benefits including vacation pay, sick pay, health insurance, 401K programs and discounts on professional products and tools.
There are many opportunities open to licensed cosmetologists. We’re committed to helping you find employment after graduation through our relationships with locally owned metro area salons, corporate salons, salons from coast to coast, national distributors, global manufacturers, international educational companies and our job postings resource. We’ll also train you in professionalism and job search skills, including resume writing, self-promotion, and interviewing. With our support, you’ll be ready to take your career to the next level! While we will exert every effort to put the graduating senior in touch with the right employment opportunities, we cannot guarantee career placement, salary or the passing of State Board Examinations. Please note that in order to comply with various Federal, State, and Local agencies,SOHO Hair Academy is required to contact employers that employ our graduates to verify placement.