How to Find the Right Cosmetologist School near Durham New York
Now that you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Durham NY, the task starts to search for and enroll in the best school. It’s imperative that the school you pick not only provides the appropriate education for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be rather puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a little bit further regarding that in the following section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Durham home. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when assessing potential schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it’s not automatically the best choice. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning 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 kinds of courses are offered.
Definition of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human anatomy look more attractive with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states require that you undergo some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Durham NY beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a clientele, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many professional names and work in a wide variety of specializations including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As previously stated, in most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption. Only those performing more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Degrees
There are essentially two avenues offered to receive cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs generally 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 instructed in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you wish to concentrate on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also probably incorporate management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Durham NY business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you opt for, it’s essential to make sure that it’s certified by the New York Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only recognize 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 decide on in the following section.
Online Cosmetology Programs
Online beauty programs are convenient for Durham NY students who are working full time and have family obligations that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous online beauty school programs available that can be attended by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are often fast paced because many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a substantial amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you’re not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it’s imperative that the training program you pick can provide internship training in local salons and parlors in order that you also receive the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to gain the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So make sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.
Questions to Ask Cosmetologist Training Courses
Below is a list of questions that you will want to research for any beauty training program you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Durham NY home, together with the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the cosmetology college 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in 12422 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Durham NY businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any beauty institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Durham NY 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 propose others that you had not looked into. And finally, consult the New York school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you enroll in a school that specializes in 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 desire is to open a hair salon in Durham NY, then you need 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 Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering cosmetology skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a beauty school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore search for other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a cosmetology school, it’s important that she or he gets support in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with Durham NY businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Most beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an option before you determine what financial assistance may be provided.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Durham NY?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Durham NY area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Durham, New York
Durham is a town in Greene County, New York, United States. The population was 2,725 at the 2010 census.[3] The town was named after Durham, Connecticut, and is in the northwest corner of Greene County.
The land that would become the town was first settled around 1755 within Albany County. The town was established from part of the town of Coxsackie in 1790 as the "Town of Freehold". In the spring of 1800 Freehold became part of the newly formed Greene County. The town's name was changed to "Durham" in 1805, the town having been called informally "New Durham" by the many settlers from Connecticut.
The first documented visit to the Durham area was by Eliab Youmans, who had been commissioned to survey the Maitland patents in 1767. Undoubtedly explorers, hunters, and trappers preceded Youmans, but their travels were unrecorded. The patents were the first official parceling out of the largely unclaimed land and were the precursors to settlement. Eight patents have been identified for lands that were in, or partly in the town of Durham.
Enroll in the Right Cosmetology School near Durham NY
Finding and enrolling in the right cosmetology program is imperative to get the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Don’t forget to consolidate all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Durham NY.
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