Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Bedford Hills NY

How to Enroll In a Beauty College near Bedford Hills New York

nail technicians training at Bedford Hills NY beauty school Now that you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Bedford Hills NY, the process starts to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It’s essential that the program you choose not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be rather puzzled about the distinction 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 talk a bit more concerning that in the upcoming segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Bedford Hills home. Tuition will also be an important factor when assessing prospective schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it’s not always the right choice. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine 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 kinds of programs are available.

Definition of Cosmetology

Bedford Hills NY makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful through the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be almost anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states mandate that you take some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Bedford Hills NY beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a clientele, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own residences or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by 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 working cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Degrees and Certificates

Bedford Hills NY hairdresser cutting hair There are essentially two avenues offered to get cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs typically require 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 all of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you want to concentrate on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also likely include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Bedford Hills NY business. More advanced 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 opt for, it’s essential to make certain that it’s recognized by the New York Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only approve schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the next segment.

Online Cosmetologist Classes

student attending cosmetology school online in Bedford Hills NY Online beauty classes are convenient for Bedford Hills NY students who are employed full time and have family responsibilities that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based beauty school programs available that can be accessed by means of a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty schools are typically fast paced since many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a significant portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you’re not spending numerous hours away from your home or travelling to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s important that the school you choose can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors in order that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to acquire the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetology Training Programs

Questions to ask Bedford Hills NY beauty schools Following is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any cosmetology training school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Bedford Hills NY residence, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the cosmetology school you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged 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 important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in 10507 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Bedford Hills NY 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 Great Reputation? Every cosmetology school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Bedford Hills NY salon owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the New York school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete 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 specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your objective is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to open a hair salon in Bedford Hills NY, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.

Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering cosmetology skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a beauty academy provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So look for other schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a beauty program, it’s essential that he or she receives aid in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with Bedford Hills NY employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm 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 verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Almost all 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 department. Speak with a counselor and learn 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 also. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an option before you learn what financial assistance may be offered.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Bedford Hills NY?

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

Bedford Hills, New York

Bedford Hills is a hamlet in the Town of Bedford, Westchester County, New York, United States. The population was 3,001 at the 2010 census, which lists the community as a census-designated place.[3] The Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women is located in the hamlet.

When the railroad was built in 1847, Bedford Hills was known as Bedford Station. Bedford Hills extends from a business center at the railroad station to farms and estates, eastward along Harris, Babbitt and Bedford Center Roads and south along the Route 117 business corridor up to Mt. Kisco. Bedford Hills is the seat of government of the Town of Bedford. The Town House, built in 1927, and Town buildings containing the Police Department and Town offices are located in Bedford Hills.[citation needed]

Bedford Hills is the site of Stepping Stones, the historic home of Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder Bill W. and his wife Lois Burnham Wilson, founder of Al-Anon/Alateen. The home, located at 62 Oak Road in Katonah, is on the National Register of Historic Places, and has become a tour destination for members of 12-Step organizations.[citation needed]

Select the Right Cosmetology College near Bedford Hills NY

Bedford Hills NY barber blow drying client's hair Choosing and enrolling in the right cosmetology school is imperative to obtain the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Don’t forget to consolidate all of the information you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Bedford Hills NY.