How to Pick a Cosmetologist College near Breezewood Pennsylvania
Once you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Breezewood PA, the process starts to find and enroll in the best school. It’s imperative that the school you pick not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be rather puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll talk a little bit further regarding that in the following section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Breezewood home. Tuition will also be an important consideration when assessing possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it’s not necessarily the ideal choice. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are offered.
Defining Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human anatomy look more attractive through the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word 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 kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Breezewood PA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a clientele, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many professional names and work 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 the majority of states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption. Only those performing more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Certificates and Degrees
There are essentially two options available to obtain 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 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 instructed in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you prefer to concentrate on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely feature management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Breezewood PA business. Higher degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you opt for, it’s important to make sure that it’s recognized by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the upcoming section.
Online Beauty Schools
Online beauty classes are advantageous for Breezewood PA students who are employed full time and have family commitments that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are many web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended by means of a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are often fast paced given that many programs are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you’re not devoting many hours outside of your home or driving to and from classes. However, it’s important that the program you pick can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is available in your area.
What to Ask Cosmetology Programs
Following is a list of questions that you need to research for any beauty training program you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Breezewood PA residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s necessary to make sure that the cosmetology school you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in 15533 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Breezewood PA businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any cosmetology institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Breezewood PA salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And last, contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of cosmetology 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 frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your objective 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 vision is to start a hair salon in Breezewood PA, 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 pursuing will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty academy provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So look for other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a beauty program, it’s crucial that he or she receives assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with Breezewood PA businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Almost all 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 department. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an alternative until you learn what financial help may be provided.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Breezewood PA?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Breezewood PA area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Breezewood, Pennsylvania
Along a traditional pathway for Native Americans, European settlers, and British troops during colonial times, in the early 20th century, the small valley that became known as Breezewood was a popular stopping place for automobile travelers on the Lincoln Highway, beginning in 1913. Greyhound Lines opened a Post House facility in the town in 1935; it closed in 2004.
In 1940, Breezewood was designated exit 6 on the just-opened Pennsylvania Turnpike. In the 1960s, Breezewood became the junction of the Turnpike and the new Interstate 70. Later renumbered exit 12, it is now exit 161 on the Turnpike following a change to mileage-based exit numbering.
Breezewood has been labeled a "tourist trap" which prevents travelers from easily transitioning between Interstate 70 and the Turnpike, instead routing traffic along a two-mile loop lined with gas stations, hotels, and restaurants.[1] This section of Interstate 70 is one of the few parts of the Interstate Highway System which is not a controlled-access highway.
Find the Right Cosmetologist Program near Breezewood PA
Selecting and enrolling in the right cosmetologist program is imperative to get the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the responses you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. 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 right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Breezewood PA.
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