Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Campbelltown PA

How to Select a Beauty College near Campbelltown Pennsylvania

nail technicians training at Campbelltown PA beauty school Since you have decided to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Campbelltown PA, the process starts to find and enroll in the ideal school. It’s imperative that the program you select not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be rather confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a little bit further regarding that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Campbelltown residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when assessing possible schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not necessarily the ideal option. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning 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 available.

What is Cosmetology

Campbelltown PA makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more attractive with the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be almost anything that enhances the appearance 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 be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Campbelltown PA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a clientele, open their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients either in their own residences or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many titles and are employed in a wide range of specialties including:

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

As already mentioned, in the majority of states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In certain 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 be licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees and Certificates

Campbelltown PA hairdresser cutting hair There are basically two avenues available to obtain cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually call for 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree commonly 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 want to focus on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely feature management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Campbelltown PA business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you opt for, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s approved by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the upcoming section.

Online Cosmetologist Classes

student attending cosmetology school online in Campbelltown PA Online beauty schools are advantageous for Campbelltown PA students who are working full time and have family obligations that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed through a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty programs are frequently fast paced given that many courses are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not spending numerous hours outside of your home or commuting back and forth from classes. However, it’s imperative 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 portion of the training, it’s difficult to obtain the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetology Degree Programs

Questions to ask Campbelltown PA beauty schools Below is a series of questions that you should investigate for any cosmetology training program you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Campbelltown PA home, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the cosmetology college you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified 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 assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in 17010 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Campbelltown 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 Great Reputation? Any cosmetology college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Campbelltown PA salon owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, consult the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? Many cosmetology 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 example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often expand 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 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 desire is to start a hair salon in Campbelltown PA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you need.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and mastering cosmetology skills and techniques demands lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So look for other schools that offer this kind 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 gets assistance in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid develope relationships with Campbelltown PA businesses 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 organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? The majority of cosmetology schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 available to students as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an alternative before you determine what financial help may be offered.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Campbelltown PA?

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

Campbelltown, Pennsylvania

Campbelltown is a census-designated place (CDP) in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,616 at the 2010 census. It is located east of Hershey at the intersection of U.S. Route 322 and Pennsylvania Route 117 and is located in the Harrisburg metropolitan area.

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 2,415 people, 900 households, and 682 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 836.2 people per square mile (322.6/km²). There were 939 housing units at an average density of 325.1/sq mi (125.4/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.10% White, 0.75% African American, 0.95% Asian, 0.29% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.75% of the population.

There were 900 households, out of which 38.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.4% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.2% were non-families. 21.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.05.

Select the Right Cosmetology Training Program near Campbelltown PA

Campbelltown PA barber blow drying client's hair Choosing and enrolling in the right cosmetologist school is important to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Don’t forget to organize all of the responses you get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Campbelltown PA.