Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Severna Park MD

How to Enroll In a Cosmetology College near Severna Park Maryland

nail technicians training at Severna Park MD beauty school Now that you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Severna Park MD, the process begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It’s important that the program you choose not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you may be rather unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a little bit more regarding 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 Severna Park home. Tuition will additionally be an important aspect when assessing potential schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not always the best option. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are available.

Defining Cosmetology

Severna Park MD makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more beautiful through the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states require that you go through some kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Severna Park MD beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients either in their own residences or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many names and are employed in a wide range of specializations including:

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

As formerly stated, in most states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Certificates and Degrees

Severna Park MD hairdresser cutting hair There are primarily two avenues available to receive 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 generally call for 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 trained in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you wish to concentrate on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also probably incorporate management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Severna Park MD business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you decide on, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s recognized by the Maryland Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only approve schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the upcoming section.

Online Cosmetology Classes

student attending cosmetology school online in Severna Park MD Online cosmetology schools are advantageous for Severna Park MD students who are working full time and have family commitments that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of online cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed through a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are frequently fast paced since many courses are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a substantial portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or commuting to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s vital that the training program you pick can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So make sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Beauty Degree Programs

Questions to ask Severna Park MD beauty schools Following is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any beauty training school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Severna Park MD home, together with the price of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have compiled some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the School Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the cosmetology training program you select 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in 21146 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Severna Park MD businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any cosmetology school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Severna Park MD salon owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And finally, check with the Maryland school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand 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 certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your vision is to start a hair salon in Severna Park MD, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you require.

Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. So look for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a beauty school, it’s important that he or she receives support in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develope relationships with Severna Park MD employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered? The majority of cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an alternative until you learn what financial help may be offered.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Severna Park MD?

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

Severna Park, Maryland

Severna Park is a census-designated place (CDP) in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States. Severna Park is part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area, and is located approximately 8 miles (13 km) north of Annapolis, 17 miles (27 km) south of Baltimore, and 39 miles (63 km) east of Washington, D.C. Severna Park's population was 37,634 at the 2010 census.[1]

The name Severna Park is believed to originate from a 1906 contest held by Oscar Hatton while the modern community was first becoming established. The winner would receive a portion of land but controversy arose because the winner was an African-American woman, who was instead rewarded $500.[2]

Robinson House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009.[3] Severna Park was originally named "Boone," and was a stop along the Baltimore & Annapolis Railroad, which was converted to the B&A Rail Trail in 1990. Severna Park is also home to the Severn School, which was established in 1914, as well as several other old homes and buildings.

Select the Right Cosmetologist College near Severna Park MD

Severna Park MD barber blow drying client's hair Selecting and enrolling in the right cosmetologist college is imperative to receive the proper 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 collect all of the information you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, 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 ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Severna Park MD.