Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Brookhaven PA

How to Enroll In a Cosmetologist School near Brookhaven Pennsylvania

nail technicians training at Brookhaven PA beauty school Now that you have decided to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Brookhaven PA, the process begins to find and enroll in the ideal school. It’s important that the program you pick not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be a little bit unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a little bit further regarding that in the upcoming segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Brookhaven home. Tuition will also be an important aspect when evaluating possible schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not always the ideal option. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are available.

Defining Cosmetology

Brookhaven PA makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more beautiful through the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be anything that improves 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 type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Brookhaven PA 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, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing customers either in their own residences 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 formerly stated, in the majority of states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Certificates and Degrees

Brookhaven PA hairdresser cutting hair There are basically two options offered to obtain 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 commonly takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in each of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you want to specialize in 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 operate a salon or other Brookhaven PA business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you go with, it’s imperative 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 reputable agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the next segment.

Online Cosmetologist Training

student attending cosmetology school online in Brookhaven PA Online cosmetology programs are advantageous for Brookhaven PA students who are working full time and have family obligations that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based beauty school programs available that can be accessed by means of a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are typically fast paced since many courses are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you’re not spending many hours outside of your home or travelling back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s important that the school you select can provide internship training in nearby 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 needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetologist Trade Schools

Questions to ask Brookhaven PA beauty schools Below is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any cosmetology training school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Brookhaven PA home, together with the price of tuition, will probably be your initial 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 options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make certain that the cosmetology training program you pick 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 measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 19015 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Brookhaven PA employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each cosmetologist school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check 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 connections with Brookhaven PA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. Finally, consult the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically 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 certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to open a hair salon in Brookhaven PA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you require.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty academy furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for developing your skills. So search for other schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a beauty program, it’s essential that he or she receives help in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develope relationships with Brookhaven PA employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad 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. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn 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 satisfies all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an option until you determine what financial help may be offered.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Brookhaven PA?

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

Brookhaven, Pennsylvania

Brookhaven is located at 39°52′14″N 75°23′27″W / 39.87056°N 75.39083°W / 39.87056; -75.39083 (39.870662, -75.390915)[3] with an average elevation of 98 feet (30 m) above sea level.

Brookhaven has many streets named after presidents. The Dutton Mill Estates section of the borough comprises: Adams Drive, Lincoln Drive, Monroe Drive, Jackson Drive, Jefferson Drive, Madison Drive, and Grant Drive. Washington Avenue and Mt. Vernon Avenue are located elsewhere in the borough.

As of Census 2010, the racial makeup of the borough was 92.4% White, 3.7% African American, 0.1% Native American, 1.9% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.0% of the population [1].

Select the Right Cosmetology School near Brookhaven PA

Brookhaven PA barber blow drying client's hair Selecting and enrolling in the right beauty program is imperative to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the responses you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Brookhaven PA.