Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Hickory PA

How to Pick a Beauty College near Hickory Pennsylvania

nail technicians training at Hickory PA beauty school Now that you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Hickory PA, the process starts to search for and enroll in the best school. It’s imperative that the program you choose not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you may be a little bit puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll talk a little bit more regarding that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Hickory residence. Tuition will also be an important aspect when reviewing prospective schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it’s not always the best option. There are various other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are offered.

Defining Cosmetology

Hickory PA makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human anatomy look more beautiful through the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically 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, almost all states mandate that you undergo some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Hickory PA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many names and work in a wide range 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 some states there is an exemption. Only those performing more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Certificates and Degrees

Hickory PA hairdresser cutting hair There are essentially two pathways available to obtain cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs typically require 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree ordinarily takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you prefer to concentrate on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also likely incorporate management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Hickory PA business. Higher degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you decide on, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s recognized by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the following segment.

Online Cosmetologist Programs

student attending cosmetology school online in Hickory PA Online cosmetology programs are accommodating for Hickory PA students who are working full-time and have family obligations that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many online cosmetology school programs offered that can be accessed by means of a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are frequently fast paced since many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a significant portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same amount of material, but you are not spending many hours away from your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it’s vital that the training program you pick can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult 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 school to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Beauty Degree Programs

Questions to ask Hickory PA beauty schools Following is a series of questions that you need to look into for any cosmetologist training program you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Hickory PA residence, together with the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the cosmetology college you pick 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 measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in 15340 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Hickory PA employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every cosmetology college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. 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, showing that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Hickory PA salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. Finally, check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? A number of 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, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you pick 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 well regarded for that program. If your vision is to start a hair salon in Hickory PA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach 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 need.

Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a beauty academy offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. So search for alternate schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s essential that he or she gets help in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid develope relationships with Hickory PA businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Available? Many beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may 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 all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you find out what financial assistance may be available.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Hickory PA?

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

Pennsylvania Route 666

Pennsylvania Route 666 (PA 666) is an east–west state route located in northwest Pennsylvania. The western terminus of the route is at U.S. Route 62 (US 62) in the Hickory Township municipality of East Hickory, and its eastern terminus is at US 6 in the hamlet of Sheffield. It cuts through most of Allegheny National Forest, and is therefore sparsely populated, with the largest settlement along the road being Endeavor. Its official name is the David Zeisberger Memorial Highway.

The route was assigned in the 1928 numbering of State Routes in Pennsylvania. The highway originally ended in Nebraska until being extended southward along other streets. The route was realigned in 1946 onto its present routing. The highway has remained the same since.

Pennsylvania Route 666 begins at an intersection with US 62 along the banks of the Allegheny River in East Hickory. The route progresses eastward, intersecting with East Hickory Road, a dead end street that is part of old US 62. With trees and some homes surrounding the highway, PA 666 continues out of East Hickory and into Hickory Township. The highway heads into Queen, intersecting with two dead-end streets before turning to the southeast. The route quickly leaves Queen, entering a heavily forested area. The trees around the highway are very dense and surround the highway for several miles. The southeastern motion that PA 666 was following becomes a steady east, with the highway making several changes in its direction. There is an intersection with a local road, Yellow Hammer Road, which has access to a small amount of civilization. The road however, is a loop, and merges in soon after. The route continues farther through the dense forestry, intersecting with a woods road. PA 666 continues farther to the southeast, entering a break in the dense forestry.[2]

Enroll in the Right Cosmetology Program near Hickory PA

Hickory PA barber blow drying client's hair Finding and enrolling in the ideal cosmetologist school is imperative to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Hickory PA.