Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Rockville MD

How to Select a Cosmetology School near Rockville Maryland

nail technicians training at Rockville MD beauty school Now that you have decided to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Rockville MD, the task starts to search for and enroll in the best school. It’s essential that the program you choose not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be rather confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a little bit further about that in the upcoming segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Rockville residence. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when reviewing possible schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it’s not automatically the right choice. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding 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 types of programs are available.

Definition of Cosmetology

Rockville MD makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states require that you go through some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Rockville MD beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many professional names and work in a wide variety of specialties including:

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

As previously stated, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Degrees

Rockville MD hairdresser cutting hair There are primarily two pathways offered to obtain cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs typically take 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate’s degree commonly takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you wish to focus on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also likely incorporate management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Rockville MD business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you decide on, it’s essential to make certain that it’s approved by the Maryland Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only approve schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, such as 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

student attending cosmetology school online in Rockville MD Online beauty classes are advantageous for Rockville MD students who are working full time and have family commitments that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many online cosmetology school programs offered that can be accessed through a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty programs are frequently fast paced because many programs are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you are not devoting many hours away from your home or travelling to and from classes. However, it’s essential that the training program you select can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Cosmetology Trade Schools

Questions to ask Rockville MD beauty schools Below is a list of questions that you need to research for any beauty training school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Rockville MD residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue 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 initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below 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 necessary to make certain that the cosmetology school you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 20847 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Rockville MD businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each cosmetologist college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Rockville MD salon owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And last, consult the Maryland school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you decide on 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 start a hair salon in Rockville MD, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you need.

Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. 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 make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty academy furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. So look for alternate schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a cosmetology academy, it’s imperative that she or he receives assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with Rockville MD businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which salons and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Many beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and find out 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 accessible to students as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an option until you learn what financial help may be available.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Rockville MD?

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

Rockville, Maryland

Rockville is a city and the county seat of Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, part of the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area which has an estimated population of over 9.7 Million as of the 2017 US Census.[7]. The 2017 census estimates that Rockville's population at 68,401, making it one of the largest communities in Maryland[8]and the third largest location in Montgomery County, after Silver Spring and Germantown.

Rockville, along with neighboring Gaithersburg and Bethesda, is at the core of the Interstate 270 Technology Corridor which is home to numerous software and biotechnology companies as well as several federal government institutions. The city also has several upscale regional shopping centers and is one of the major retail hubs in Montgomery County.

Situated in the Piedmont region and crossed by three creeks (Rock Creek, Cabin John Creek, and Watts Branch), Rockville provided an excellent refuge for semi-nomadic Native Americans as early as 8000 BC. By the first millennium BC, a few of these groups had settled down into year-round agricultural communities that exploited the native flora, including sunflowers and marsh elder. By AD 1200, these early groups (dubbed Montgomery Indians by later archaeologists) were increasingly drawn into conflict with the Senecas and Susquehannocks who had migrated south from Pennsylvania and New York. Within the present-day boundaries of the city, six prehistoric sites have been uncovered and documented, along with numerous artifacts several thousand years old. By the year 1700, under pressure from European colonists, the majority of these original inhabitants had been driven away.

Pick the Right Cosmetologist Vocational School near Rockville MD

Rockville MD barber blow drying client's hair Picking and enrolling in the right beauty college is important to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Rockville MD.