How to Select a Beauty College near Portland New York
Now that you have decided to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Portland NY, the task 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 decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We’ll speak 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 Portland home. Tuition will also be a critical factor when reviewing prospective schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not always the best option. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over 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 kinds of training programs are available.
Defining Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human body look more attractive with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states require that you undergo some kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Portland NY beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a client 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 professional names and work in a wide range 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 practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those offering more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Degrees and Certificates
There are primarily two avenues offered to get cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs typically 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 all of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you wish to focus on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also probably include management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Portland NY business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you decide on, it’s essential to make certain that it’s recognized by the New York Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the next segment.
Online Beauty Courses
Online beauty schools are advantageous for Portland NY students who are working full time and have family obligations that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many online cosmetology school programs offered that can be accessed by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are typically fast paced because many courses are as brief as six or eight 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’re not devoting many hours away from your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it’s imperative that the program you pick can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors to ensure that you also receive the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to obtain the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is available in your area.
What to Ask Cosmetologist Trade Schools
Following is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any cosmetologist training program you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Portland NY residence, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the cosmetology training program you choose 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in 14769 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Portland NY employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every cosmetology school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Portland NY salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And last, consult the New York school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your goal is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to open a hair salon in Portland NY, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty program provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a beauty school, it’s crucial that she or he gets support in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with Portland NY businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check 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 Assistance Available? Almost all beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify 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 also. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an option before you find out what financial aid may be offered.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Portland NY?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Portland NY area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Portland, New York
The area was first settled in 1804. The town of Portland was founded in 1813 from the town of Chautauqua. Subsequently, the town was reduced in size to form two new towns: Ripley (1816) and Westfield (1829).
A genealogical history of Portland was published in 1873 by Dr. H. C. Taylor, titled Historical Sketches of the Town of Portland, New York. An all names index was created for this book by Agnes Lee Mitchell in 1989 and published by the Chautauqua County Genealogical Society.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 34.18 square miles (88.53 km2), of which 34.12 square miles (88.36 km2) is land and 0.07 square miles (0.17 km2), or 0.19%, is water.[3]
Enroll in the Right Beauty Vocational School near Portland NY
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal beauty college is important to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the responses you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the academy and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Portland NY.
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