Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools West Haverstraw NY

How to Pick a Beauty School near West Haverstraw New York

nail technicians training at West Haverstraw NY beauty school Once you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near West Haverstraw NY, the task starts to search for and enroll in the right school. It’s important that the program you pick not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be somewhat confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll speak a bit more concerning that in the next section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your West Haverstraw residence. Tuition will also be an important aspect when reviewing prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not necessarily the best choice. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are available.

Defining Cosmetology

West Haverstraw NY makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more beautiful through the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may 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 require that you undergo some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only West Haverstraw NY beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gotten experience and a client base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many names and are employed in a wide variety of specialties including:

Hairdressers
Hairstylists
Beauticians
Barbers
Manicurists
Nail Technicians
Makeup Artists
Hair Coloring Specialists
Estheticians
Electrolysis Technicians

As previously mentioned, in most states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Degrees and Certificates

West Haverstraw NY hairdresser cutting hair There are primarily two avenues available to receive cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually call for 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 instructed in each of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you want to concentrate on just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also probably feature management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other West Haverstraw NY business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you opt for, it’s important to make sure that it’s recognized by the New York Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the next segment.

Online Cosmetology Programs

student attending cosmetology school online in West Haverstraw NY Online cosmetology schools are accommodating for West Haverstraw NY students who are employed full-time and have family responsibilities that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many online beauty school programs offered that can be attended through a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology programs are typically fast paced due to the fact that many programs are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a substantial portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you’re not spending many hours outside of your home or travelling to and from classes. However, it’s important that the training program you pick can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetology Degree Programs

Questions to ask West Haverstraw NY beauty schools Below is a list of questions that you will want to research for any cosmetology training program you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your West Haverstraw NY residence, together with the price of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the cosmetology training program 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 meet their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in 10993 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous West Haverstraw NY employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each beauty school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with West Haverstraw NY salon owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the New York school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you select a school that focuses on 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 well regarded for that program. If your dream is to open a hair salon in West Haverstraw NY, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you need.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology 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 school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a beauty school, it’s important that she or he receives aid in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with West Haverstraw NY employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools 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 verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an alternative until you determine what financial assistance may be provided.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near West Haverstraw NY?

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

West Haverstraw, New York

West Haverstraw is a village incorporated in 1833 in the town of Haverstraw, Rockland County, New York, United States. It is located northwest of Haverstraw village, east of Thiells, south of the hamlet of Stony Point, and west of the Hudson River. The population was 10,165 at the 2010 census.[4] The majority of the hamlet of Garnerville is contained in the village of West Haverstraw.

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 10,295 people, 3,542 households, and 2,521 families residing in the village. The population density was 6,670.3 people per square mile (2,581.1/km²). There were 3,634 housing units at an average density of 2,354.5 per square mile (911.1/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 64.85% White, 12.80% African American, 0.55% Native American, 4.15% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 12.67% from other races, and 4.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 30.37% of the population.

There were 3,542 households out of which 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% were non-families. 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.45.

Choose the Right Beauty College near West Haverstraw NY

West Haverstraw NY barber blow drying client's hair Choosing and enrolling in the ideal beauty program is important to obtain the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in West Haverstraw NY.