How to Enroll In a Cosmetology School near Mount Savage Maryland
Since you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Mount Savage MD, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It’s imperative that the school you pick not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be a little bit unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a little bit further regarding that in the following section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Mount Savage home. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when evaluating possible schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it’s not automatically the right option. There are various other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are available.
What is Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human anatomy look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states require that you go through some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Mount Savage MD beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a customer base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many professional names and are employed 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 conducting more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Degrees
There are essentially two avenues available to obtain cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs generally take 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate’s degree ordinarily takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you want to focus on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Mount Savage MD business. Higher degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you decide on, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s approved by the Maryland Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the following section.
Online Cosmetology Schools
Online beauty programs are advantageous for Mount Savage MD students who are employed full time and have family obligations that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many online beauty school programs available that can be accessed through a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are frequently fast paced because many courses are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a substantial amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you’re not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or driving to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s vital that the program you select can provide internship training in area salons and parlors in order that you also get the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to obtain the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.
What to Ask Cosmetology Training Programs
Following is a series of questions that you need to research for any beauty training program you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Mount Savage MD residence, together with the price of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make certain that the cosmetology college you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in 21545 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Mount Savage MD businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every cosmetologist school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Mount Savage MD salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, check with the Maryland school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you select a school that focuses on 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 well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a hair salon in Mount Savage MD, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you need.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Studying and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a beauty school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a beauty school, it’s imperative that he or she receives aid in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with Mount Savage MD businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which salons and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Most cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an alternative until you learn what financial aid may be offered.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Mount Savage MD?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Mount Savage MD area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Mount Savage, Maryland
A small blue-collar community, Mount Savage lies at the base of Big Savage Mountain in the Allegheny Mountains, between the cities of Frostburg and Cumberland. It began as a small farming settlement in the mid-19th century, but it was not until 1844 that the region was put on the nation's map with the pressing of the first iron rail in the United States. After this claim to fame, Mount Savage became the fifth largest city in Maryland. Named as the headquarters for the Mount Savage Railroad and later the Cumberland and Pennsylvania Railroad (C&P), the area was deemed an industrial center. In addition to the rail businesses, Mount Savage attracted a foundry, two brick refractories, and several local merchants. In this company town, the industries shaped the economy and topography of Mount Savage, building housing for workers and donating land for schools, churches, and other public buildings. It was a cultural melting pot attracting English businessmen and Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Italian, and German workers. With this diverse mix of cultures, the identity of Mount Savage was molded into a close-knit community. Despite the loss of the industries to the region, Mount Savage continues to celebrate its hard-working traditions. The Mount Savage Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.[2]
The name origin of Mount Savage is derived from a land surveyor, Thomas Savage, who happened to be traveling through the area in 1736.[3] The Archibald Arnold family later settled "Arnold's Settlement", now Mount Savage, around 1774.[4] The town is the oldest in Allegany County to have a group of the same family to pioneer a town.[5] The Arnolds were Catholic farmers originating from southern Maryland.[6]:1 The Arnold family settled northeast of the current town, along a Native American trail which was later known as "Turkey Foot Road". The Arnolds established a hotel, "Arnold's Hotel", which welcomed the pioneers who were heading out west towards the Ohio River Valley. They also had a self-sustaining farm which became part of the present-day Glen Savage Dairy Farm.[6]:1 The site of the hotel is along an 1804 alteration to the Turkey Foot Road.[7] The Arnold family eventually owned most of the land of the present-day Mount Savage, Archibald sometimes purchasing 1,000 acres (4.0 km2) at a time.[6]:1 Some areas of land that Arnold purchased were documented only as "Move About", "Tomahawk" and "Durbin's Neglect".[5] In the early 19th century Mount Savage was primarily a self-sufficient farming community with no real need to embark onto enterprises with neighboring towns or industries. Mount Savage was the only town west of Cumberland with a Catholic church, so many families from neighboring states and towns traveled there for Mass.[6]:2 Upon completion of the National Road, settlers headed west by the thousands, flooding the Cumberland-Mount Savage area and calling attention to Mount Savage's mineral wealth.
The Maryland and New York Iron and Coal Company was incorporated in 1837. This important company was established by an Englishman, Benjamin Howell, who was one of the many travelers along the National Road. The company built the Mount Savage Iron Works, which utilized the iron ore that was abundant in the Mount Savage area. Following the construction of blast furnaces in 1839, the company built the Mount Savage Railroad in 1844 to connect the town to Cumberland and with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O). The company produced about 200 tons of iron a week in 1845.[6]:3 The Mount Savage works was the only company in America to manufacture heavy railroad iron at that time. With the flourishing industry upon Mount Savage, clay, brick, coal and locomotives were also being manufactured and transported to neighboring towns and states by way of the new railroad system. The most prosperous coal mines were the Eckhart Mines, located southwest of Mount Savage, which produced bituminous coal. The Mount Savage railroad system became the main supplier to the B&O as well as the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. By 1852 the iron works was considered to be the largest in the United States.[8] By 1864, the Union Mining Company was established in Allegany County.[9] This company controlled most of the clay and brick exports. Little Mount Savage had officially grown into a legendary, American industrial center.
Pick the Right Beauty School near Mount Savage MD
Picking and enrolling in the right cosmetologist school is essential to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Don’t forget to compile all of the responses you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to begin your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Mount Savage MD.
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