How to Choose a Cosmetology College near Downsville New York
Once you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Downsville NY, the process starts to find and enroll in the right school. It’s essential that the program you select not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you may be somewhat unclear 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 little bit further about that in the following section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Downsville residence. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when assessing prospective schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not automatically the right choice. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding 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 kinds of programs are available.
What is Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human anatomy look more beautiful with the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic can be almost anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states require that you undergo some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Downsville NY beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a clientele, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many titles 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 already mentioned, in most states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption. Only those offering more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Degrees and Certificates
There are basically two pathways available to get 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 require 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate’s degree usually 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 available if you want to focus on just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely incorporate management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Downsville NY business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you opt for, it’s important to make certain that it’s certified by the New York Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the upcoming segment.
Online Cosmetology Schools
Online cosmetology classes are advantageous for Downsville NY students who are working full-time and have family obligations that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of online beauty school programs available that can be accessed via a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are frequently fast paced because many programs are as short 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 spending many hours away from your home or travelling to and from classes. However, it’s important that the school you choose can provide internship training in local salons and parlors in order that you also get the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to gain the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is available in your area.
Questions to Ask Beauty Training Classes
Following is a series of questions that you need to research for any cosmetologist training program you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Downsville NY residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the cosmetology school you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in 13755 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Downsville NY employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each cosmetologist school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Downsville NY salon owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to propose others that you had not considered. Finally, check with the New York school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets 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 essential that you enroll in a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your ambition 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 open a hair salon in Downsville NY, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty academy offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s crucial that he or she receives support in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with Downsville NY businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you find out what financial aid may be available.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Downsville NY?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Downsville NY area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Downsville, New York
Downsville is located on the East Branch of the Delaware River. A dam on this portion of the river, at Downsville, was completed by locals paid for by New York City in 1954, creating the Pepacton Reservoir, which is part of the New York City water supply system.
Downsville Central School, located on Maple Avenue, serves families from the surrounding areas, including municipalities as far away as East Branch. Downsville Central School's colors are purple and white and their mascot is the Eagle.
Downsville is located in the northern part of the town of Colchester, along Downs Brook just north of its confluence with the East Branch Delaware River. New York State Route 30 passes through the hamlet, leading southwest 15 miles (24 km) to the hamlet of East Branch at NY 17, and east 26 miles (42 km) along the Pepacton Reservoir to Margaretville. New York State Route 206 leads northwest from Downsville 10 miles (16 km) to Walton and southeast 14 miles (23 km) to NY 17 at Roscoe.
Pick the Right Cosmetologist Program near Downsville NY
Picking and enrolling in the right cosmetologist program is important to receive the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the responses you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this article, 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 examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Downsville NY.
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