Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Bensalem PA

How to Select a Cosmetologist College near Bensalem Pennsylvania

nail technicians training at Bensalem PA beauty school Now that you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Bensalem PA, the process begins to find and enroll in the ideal school. It’s important that the school you choose not only provides the appropriate education for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. 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 pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a little bit more concerning that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Bensalem home. Tuition will also be a critical factor when assessing potential schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not always the ideal option. There are various other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are offered.

Defining Cosmetology

Bensalem PA makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful through the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be almost anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you take some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Bensalem PA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a customer base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing clients either in their own residences or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many professional names 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 formerly stated, in the majority of states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption. Only those offering more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees

Bensalem PA hairdresser cutting hair There are essentially two options offered to receive cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs generally 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 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 to ensure that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Bensalem PA business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you choose, it’s important to make certain that it’s recognized by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only approve schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the next segment.

Online Cosmetology Training

student attending cosmetology school online in Bensalem PA Online beauty classes are accommodating for Bensalem PA students who are employed full time and have family commitments that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous online cosmetology school programs offered that can be accessed via a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are often fast paced given that many courses are as short as six or eight months. This means that a significant portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours away from your home or driving to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s important that the school you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors in order that you also obtain the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to acquire the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Beauty Degree Programs

Questions to ask Bensalem PA beauty schools Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any cosmetology training program you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Bensalem PA residence, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly 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 take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have compiled several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s necessary to make sure that the cosmetology training program you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in 19020 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Bensalem PA employers 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? Each cosmetology college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Bensalem PA salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And last, check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating 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 typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you enroll in a school that focuses on 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 desire is to launch a hair salon in Bensalem PA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you need.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining cosmetology skills and techniques demands lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty program offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore search for other schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a beauty school, it’s essential that she or he gets support in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develope relationships with Bensalem PA businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered? The majority of cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an alternative until you find out what financial assistance may be provided.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Bensalem PA?

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

Bensalem Township, Pennsylvania

Bensalem Township is a township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States and borders the northeast section of Philadelphia. The township is composed of many communities, including Andalusia, Bensalem, Bridgewater, Cornwells Heights, Eddington, Flushing, Oakford, Siles, Trappe, and Trevose[3] . As of the 2010 census, the township had a total population of 60,427, which makes it the largest municipality in Bucks County, and the ninth largest in Pennsylvania. The township, which was founded in 1692, is almost as old as Pennsylvania itself, which was founded in 1682.

The origin of the name Bensalem likely comes from references made by settler Joseph Growden, who named his estate Manor of Bensalem in honor of William Penn and the Semitic term for peace, Salem.[4] Originally named Salem, the first syllable Ben was added in 1701.[4]

The area of Bensalem Township was likely distinct by 1682 as it appears on the Holme Map, thought not yet with a name. By 2 January 1685, the boundary was fixed between Bensalem and Philadelphia along the Poquessing Creek. At the September session in 1692 of the Court of Bucks County, a jury of thirteen men was formed to define boundaries of divisions that had been created up to that time. The report submitted in December states that "All the lands between Neshamineh and Poquessin, and so to the upper side of Joseph Growden's land in one and to be called 'Salem.'" It thus appears that the first name of the township was 'Salem'. The minutes of the Board of Property of the Province on 19 November 1701 at Philadelphia noted the name of the area as 'Bensalem'. The population of the area was first a few Dutch and Swedes, then later a larger influx of English, and then additional Dutch settled the area.[3]

Select the Right Cosmetologist Training Program near Bensalem PA

Bensalem PA barber blow drying client's hair Picking and enrolling in the right beauty program is important to obtain the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the academy and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional cosmetologist in Bensalem PA.