Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Centerville PA

How to Find the Right Cosmetology College near Centerville Pennsylvania

nail technicians training at Centerville PA beauty schoolSince you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Centerville PA, the process begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It’s essential that the school you choose not only provides the appropriate education for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be a little bit confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a bit more concerning that in the following segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Centerville home. Tuition will also be an important consideration when reviewing possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not automatically the best choice. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are available.

Defining Cosmetology

Centerville PA makeup ar4tist applying makeupCosmetology 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 referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be almost anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states require that you undergo some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Centerville PA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gotten experience and a customer base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many 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 mentioned, in most states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those conducting more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Certificates and Degrees

Centerville PA hairdresser cutting hairThere are essentially two pathways available to obtain cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs typically take 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 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 likely include management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Centerville PA business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you choose, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s approved by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the upcoming section.

Online Beauty Schools

student attending cosmetology school online in Centerville PAOnline beauty programs are advantageous for Centerville PA students who are employed full-time and have family obligations that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed by means of a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty schools are frequently fast paced due to the fact that many programs are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a substantial amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you are not spending numerous hours away from your home or travelling to and from classes. However, it’s essential that the program you pick can provide internship training in local salons and parlors to ensure that you also get the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to obtain the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Cosmetology Training Classes

Questions to ask Centerville PA beauty schoolsBelow is a list of questions that you need to look into for any beauty training program you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Centerville PA home, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your primary 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 initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make certain 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 agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in 16404 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Centerville PA employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Any beauty school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements 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 demanded. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Centerville PA salon owners or managers, or someone 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 considered. And last, 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 Specialty?  Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your intention is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to start a hair salon in Centerville PA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Learning and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty school provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for developing your skills. So search for other schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from a cosmetology academy, it’s imperative that she or he receives assistance in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with Centerville PA employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  Many beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an alternative before you learn what financial aid may be available.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Centerville PA?

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

Centerville, Pennsylvania

Choose the Right Beauty Vocational School near Centerville PA

Centerville PA barber blow drying client's hairFinding and enrolling in the right beauty school is important to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Don’t forget to collect all of the information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the academy and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Centerville PA.

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