How to Choose a Cosmetologist School near Freeburg Pennsylvania
Once you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Freeburg PA, the process starts 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 examination. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll talk a bit more concerning that in the following section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Freeburg home. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when reviewing prospective schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not automatically the best option. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are offered.
Defining Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human anatomy look more beautiful with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you undergo some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Freeburg PA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gotten experience and a clientele, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles and work in a wide range of specializations including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As formerly mentioned, in most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Degrees
There are essentially two avenues offered to receive 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 normally take 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 trained in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you want to concentrate on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also probably incorporate management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Freeburg PA business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you go with, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s recognized by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the following segment.
Online Cosmetologist Courses
Online cosmetology classes are advantageous for Freeburg PA students who are working full-time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are many web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be attended by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are frequently fast paced given that many programs 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’re not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it’s imperative that the training program you choose can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to acquire the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So make sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Cosmetology Programs
Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any cosmetology training program you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Freeburg PA home, together with the cost of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn 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 need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the cosmetology training program you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged 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 important for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in 17827 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Freeburg PA businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each beauty college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Freeburg 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 suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you choose a school that focuses on 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 well regarded for that program. If your dream is to launch a hair salon in Freeburg PA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. 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 developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty program furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. So search for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a beauty school, it’s important that he or she gets aid in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help develope relationships with Freeburg PA businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? The majority of cosmetology schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of 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 cost, do not drop it as an option until you determine what financial aid may be offered.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Freeburg PA?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Freeburg PA area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Freeburg, Pennsylvania
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 584 people, 242 households, and 171 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,066.6 people per square mile (805.3/km²). There were 248 housing units at an average density of 877.6 per square mile (342.0/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 99.32% White, 0.34% African American, 0.17% Asian, and 0.17% from two or more races.
There were 242 households out of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.2% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the borough the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.
Enroll in the Right Cosmetologist Vocational School near Freeburg PA
Picking and enrolling in the right beauty college is essential to receive the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Freeburg PA.
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