Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Upper Marlboro MD

How to Pick a Beauty School near Upper Marlboro Maryland

nail technicians training at Upper Marlboro MD beauty school Since you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Upper Marlboro MD, the process begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It’s imperative that the program you select not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you may be somewhat unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We’ll talk a bit further concerning that in the following section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Upper Marlboro home. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when reviewing prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not always the right choice. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are offered.

Defining Cosmetology

Upper Marlboro MD makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you go through some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Upper Marlboro MD beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a customer base, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many titles 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 earlier mentioned, in the majority of states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees and Certificates

Upper Marlboro MD hairdresser cutting hair There are essentially two pathways offered to receive 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 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 trained in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you prefer to concentrate on just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also likely incorporate management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Upper Marlboro MD business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you go with, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s certified by the Maryland Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the following segment.

Online Cosmetology Training

student attending cosmetology school online in Upper Marlboro MD Online beauty classes are convenient for Upper Marlboro MD students who are working full-time and have family commitments that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based beauty school programs offered that can be accessed via a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty schools are typically fast paced due to the fact that many programs are as short as six or eight months. This means that a large amount 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 away from your home or commuting to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s important that the school you select can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to obtain the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetologist Training Programs

Questions to ask Upper Marlboro MD beauty schools Following is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any cosmetologist training school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Upper Marlboro MD residence, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options 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 put together some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make certain that the cosmetology school you select 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 guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in 20772 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Upper Marlboro MD employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every cosmetology institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Upper Marlboro MD salon owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And last, consult the Maryland school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you decide on 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 open a hair salon in Upper Marlboro MD, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you require.

Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty school provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s crucial that she or he receives help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help develope relationships with Upper Marlboro MD employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. Also, 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 Available? Many beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering 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 available to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an option before you find out what financial aid may be provided.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Upper Marlboro MD?

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

Upper Marlboro, Maryland

Upper Marlboro, officially the Town of Upper Marlboro, is the seat of Prince George's County, Maryland in the United States.[6] The population within the town limits was 631 at the 2010 U.S. Census,[7] although Greater Upper Marlboro is many times larger.

Upper Marlboro was established in 1706 as "Marlborough Town", after John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, an ancestor of Winston Churchill. In 1744, the town was renamed to "Upper Marlborough". In the late 19th century, the town's name changed from Upper Marlborough to Upper Marlboro. The name change is linked to a postal clerk who felt that the last three letters, "ugh", did not properly fit on the rubber stamps being used at the time. By 1893, postal guides were referring to the town as Upper Marlboro and the name stuck, despite a proposed ballot to have it changed back in 1968.

The area of Upper Marlboro was first settled around 1695. It was named after John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, an ancestor of Winston Churchill. The land, which was to become the town, was part of several estates known as Grove Landing, Meadows, and Darnall's Chance, owned by the Brooke, Beall, and Darnall families, respectively.

Enroll in the Right Cosmetologist Training Program near Upper Marlboro MD

Upper Marlboro MD barber blow drying client's hair Choosing and enrolling in the ideal cosmetologist college is important to get the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to organize all of the information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are ready to start your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Upper Marlboro MD.