Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Ferndale PA

How to Find the Right Beauty College near Ferndale Pennsylvania

nail technicians training at Ferndale PA beauty school Since you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Ferndale PA, the task starts to search for and enroll in the right school. It’s imperative that the program you choose not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be rather unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a little bit more about that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Ferndale residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical factor when evaluating prospective schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not automatically the right option. There are many other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are offered.

Defining Cosmetology

Ferndale PA makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human anatomy look more beautiful through the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can 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 type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Ferndale PA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a clientele, open their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by 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 working cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees and Certificates

Ferndale PA hairdresser cutting hair There are primarily two avenues available to obtain cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs typically 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 main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you want to focus on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also likely feature management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Ferndale PA business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you go with, it’s essential 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 review the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the upcoming section.

Online Beauty Programs

student attending cosmetology school online in Ferndale PA Online beauty programs are accommodating for Ferndale PA students who are employed full-time and have family obligations that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are many online cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed through a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are often fast paced given that many courses are as short as six or eight months. This means that a substantial amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not spending numerous hours away from your home or driving to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s important that the program you choose 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 portion of the training, it’s impossible to acquire the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetology Programs

Questions to ask Ferndale PA beauty schools Below is a list of questions that you should look into for any cosmetologist training school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Ferndale PA home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt 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 consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the cosmetology training program you choose 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 assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in 18921 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Ferndale PA employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each beauty college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Ferndale PA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand 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 sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to launch a hair salon in Ferndale 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 Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty school offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a beauty school, it’s imperative that she or he receives assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with Ferndale PA employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which salons and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Almost all beauty schools provide 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 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 available to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an alternative until you find out what financial help may be provided.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Ferndale PA?

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

Ferndale, Pennsylvania

Ferndale is a borough in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,636 at the 2010 census,[3] down from 1,834 at the 2000 census.

Ferndale is located in southwestern Cambria County at 40°17′17″N 78°55′5″W / 40.28806°N 78.91806°W / 40.28806; -78.91806 (40.287974, -78.918091).[4] It is bordered to the north by the city of Johnstown, to the west by the unincorporated community of Elim, and to the east and south by the Stonycreek River, across which to the south is Riverside.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Ferndale has a total area of 0.41 square miles (1.07 km2), of which 0.39 square miles (1.01 km2) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.06 km2), or 6.00%, is water.[3]

Pick the Right Beauty Program near Ferndale PA

Ferndale PA barber blow drying client's hair Picking and enrolling in the ideal beauty program is imperative to get the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the responses 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 beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the academy and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that base, 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 choice. And when 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 Ferndale PA.