How to Choose a Cosmetology College near Lampeter Pennsylvania
Now that you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Lampeter PA, the task begins to find and enroll in the ideal school. It’s important that the program you choose not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be a little bit puzzled about the difference 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 speak a little bit more regarding that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Lampeter home. Tuition will likewise be a critical consideration when reviewing possible schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not automatically the best choice. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are available.
Definition of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful through the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states require that you go through some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Lampeter 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, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many professional names and are employed in a wide variety of specializations including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As earlier stated, in most states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those offering more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Degrees and Certificates
There are primarily two pathways offered to receive cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually take 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate’s degree usually takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in each of the major 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 feature management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Lampeter PA business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you choose, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s approved by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. Many states only approve schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the following segment.
Online Cosmetology Classes
Online cosmetology schools are convenient for Lampeter PA students who are employed full-time and have family obligations that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous online cosmetology school programs available that can be attended through a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty programs are typically fast paced due to the fact 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 internet courses, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you’re not devoting many hours outside of your home or travelling back and forth from classes. However, it’s vital that the school you select can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
What to Ask Cosmetology Schools
Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any cosmetologist training school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Lampeter PA residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly 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 compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the cosmetology training program you select 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 meet their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in 17537 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Lampeter PA employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every cosmetologist institute that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Lampeter PA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And finally, contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your goal 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 launch a hair salon in Lampeter PA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and refining cosmetology skills and techniques requires lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty academy provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s essential that he or she gets assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with Lampeter PA businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire 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 extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an option before you find out what financial assistance may be provided.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Lampeter PA?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Lampeter PA area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
East Lampeter Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
East Lampeter Township is one of the six suburbs that border the city of Lancaster, all sharing the same ZIP code with Lancaster.[5] Though the township is predominantly rural and agricultural, the busy highway U.S. 30, also known as the Lincoln Highway, crosses the township from the northwest to the southeast, traveling about eight and one-half miles. The two and one-half mile stretch bordering the city of Lancaster is very congested and serves many businesses including East Town Mall, the Lancaster Mennonite School, Dutch Wonderland Amusement Park, Tanger Outlets, Rockvale Outlets, and several hotels and fast food businesses.[6]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 20.0 square miles (52 km2), of which, 20.0 square miles (52 km2) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) of it (0.30%) is water.
As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 13,556 people, 5,342 households, and 3,739 families residing in the township. The population density was 679.5 people per square mile (262.4/km²). There were 5,611 housing units at an average density of 281.2/sq mi (108.6/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 92.13% White, 2.11% Black or African American, 0.07% Native American, 2.72% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.85% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. 3.87% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. The township has a large Amish and Mennonite population.
Enroll in the Right Beauty Training Program near Lampeter PA
Locating and enrolling in the ideal cosmetologist school is imperative to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Lampeter PA.
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