Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Millersville MD

How to Choose a Cosmetology School near Millersville Maryland

nail technicians training at Millersville MD beauty school Since you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Millersville MD, the task begins to locate and enroll in the best school. It’s important that the school you choose not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be rather unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a little bit further concerning that in the upcoming segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Millersville home. Tuition will also be an important consideration when evaluating possible schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not always the right choice. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are available.

What is Cosmetology

Millersville MD makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human anatomy look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states require that you go through some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Millersville MD beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gotten experience and a customer base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing clients either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many names and work in a wide variety of specializations including:

Hairdressers
Hairstylists
Beauticians
Barbers
Manicurists
Nail Technicians
Makeup Artists
Hair Coloring Specialists
Estheticians
Electrolysis Technicians

As formerly mentioned, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Certificates and Degrees

Millersville MD hairdresser cutting hair There are basically two pathways available to get cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually take 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree ordinarily takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you want to focus on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also probably incorporate management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Millersville MD business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you decide on, it’s essential to make certain that it’s recognized by the Maryland Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the benefits of accreditation for the school you decide on in the next segment.

Online Beauty Programs

student attending cosmetology school online in Millersville MD Online beauty schools are accommodating for Millersville MD students who are working full-time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be attended via a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are frequently fast paced given that many programs are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same amount of material, but you are not devoting many hours outside of your home or travelling back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s vital that the training program you choose can provide internship training in local salons and parlors in order that you also get the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to gain the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Beauty Training Programs

Questions to ask Millersville MD beauty schools Below is a list of questions that you should research for any cosmetology training program you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Millersville MD home, as well as the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the cosmetology training program you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 21108 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Millersville MD employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each cosmetologist institute that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Millersville MD salon owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And last, consult the Maryland school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you choose a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your intention is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to open a hair salon in Millersville MD, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you need.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques demands lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. So search for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s important that he or she gets assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with Millersville MD businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an alternative before you find out what financial help may be available.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Millersville MD?

If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Millersville MD area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.

Millersville, Maryland

Millersville, named for the first Postmaster, George Miller, was, on July 24, 1841, the first Post Office to be established along the Annapolis & Elkridge Railroad (the A & E).[2] Completed in 1840, the A & E was one of the earliest rail lines in the U.S., connecting Annapolis with the Washington Branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Today Millersville is still a small crossroads village, surrounded by existing and proposed modern residential and industrial park development. The Childs Residence, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986, is a focal point of the town.[3]

Choose the Right Beauty Program near Millersville MD

Millersville MD barber blow drying client's hair Picking and enrolling in the right beauty college is imperative to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Don’t forget to consolidate all of the responses you get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Millersville MD.