How to Enroll In a Cosmetologist College near Slingerlands New York
Once you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Slingerlands NY, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It’s essential that the school you select not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be rather unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We’ll talk a bit further concerning that in the upcoming section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Slingerlands residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when evaluating prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it’s not automatically the ideal option. There are various other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are available.
Defining Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So naturally 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 basically a cosmetic may be anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states require that you undergo some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Slingerlands 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, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by 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 already stated, in most states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those performing more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Certificates and Degrees
There are essentially two avenues offered to obtain 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 finish, 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. Shorter programs are available if you prefer to focus on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also probably incorporate management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Slingerlands NY business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you go with, it’s essential to make certain that it’s certified by the New York Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the upcoming segment.
Online Cosmetology Courses
Online cosmetology programs are accommodating for Slingerlands NY students who are working full time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based beauty school programs available that can be accessed by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are often fast paced given that many courses are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are covering the same volume of material, but you’re not spending numerous hours away from your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it’s vital that the training program you select can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Cosmetology Programs
Below is a series of questions that you will want to research for any beauty training school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Slingerlands NY home, as well as the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish 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 initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
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 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 may also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 12159 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Slingerlands NY employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each beauty college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Slingerlands NY salon owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, contact the New York 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 Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance 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 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 well regarded for that program. If your dream is to open a hair salon in Slingerlands NY, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing 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 refining cosmetology skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a cosmetology school, it’s imperative that he or she gets assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid develope relationships with Slingerlands NY employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which salons and businesses 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 Offered? Most cosmetology schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an option until you determine what financial help may be provided.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Slingerlands NY?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Slingerlands NY area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Slingerlands, New York
Slingerlands is a hamlet in the town of Bethlehem, Albany County, New York. It is located immediately west of Delmar and near the New Scotland town-line and south of the Albany city-limits. It is a suburb of Albany. The Slingerlands ZIP Code (12159) includes parts of the towns of New Scotland and Guilderland.
The history of Slingerlands begins in 1850 when the Albany, Rensselaerville, and Schoharie Plank Road Company was established by the state to construct a plank road from Albany, through Slingerlands, to Gallupville in Schoharie County.[1] In 1854, the state authorized the company to abandon or sell portions and to turn other sections (including that part in Slingerlands) into a turnpike and charge tolls.[2] The post office was originally called Normanskill and was built in 1852 with William H. Slingerland as the first post master.[3] In 1863, the Albany and Susquehanna Railroad was built through Slingerlands with a station established here as well.[4] William H. Slingerland was the surveyor of the road, and since his route came in $600,000 less than a previous survey the company named the station here Slingerlands in his honor.[5] In 1870, the post office also took the name Slingerlands.[3] After having been in the rear of a grocery store for a hundred years it moved to the Tollgate Building in 1953, until the 1990s when a newer larger location was built near the Price Chopper Plaza.[6][7] In 1989, the New Scotland post office was closed and the 400 residents it served were transferred to Slingerlands' ZIP Code.[7]
New Scotland Road through Slingerlands was labeled as part of New York State Route 85 in the 1930 renumbering of state highways.[8] In 1968, the Slingerlands Bypass was constructed as a two-lane extension of the Crosstown Connection, a limited-access highway in the city of Albany; Route 85 was then routed onto this highway.[9] The original plan was to connect with the Delmar Bypass near New York State Route 85A, thereby bypassing Slingerlands, it and the Delmar Bypass were never finished due to a lack of funding.[10][11] In 1987, the developer of the Juniper Fields sub-division agreed to build for the town a 1,700 foot extension of the Delmar Bypass to Van Dyke Avenue, and the developer of Delmar Village agreed to build a 2,750 foot extension of Fisher Boulevard to Delaware Avenue, this then left only a 6,000 foot extension of the Delmar Bypass to complete a full loop around Delmar and Slingerlands. At the time it was still the long-term goal of the town to extend both bypasses themselves to their original meeting point near Route 85A.[10] In 2007, the existing Slingerlands Bypass was reconstructed from two to four lanes and the highway was extended behind the Price Chopper Plaza to meet New Scotland Road over Le Grange Road opposite Cherry Avenue Extension. Each intersection, four in all, were converted to two-lane roundabouts.[12]
Select the Right Cosmetologist Program near Slingerlands NY
Choosing and enrolling in the right beauty program is imperative to receive the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to consolidate all of the information you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the academy and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions presented 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 examination, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your career as a professional cosmetologist in Slingerlands NY.
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