Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Lansdowne PA

How to Enroll In a Beauty College near Lansdowne Pennsylvania

nail technicians training at Lansdowne PA beauty school Since you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Lansdowne PA, the task begins to find and enroll in the right school. It’s imperative that the program you choose not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you might be somewhat confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll speak a bit more regarding that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Lansdowne residence. Tuition will also be an important consideration when assessing prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not necessarily the best option. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are available.

What is Cosmetology

Lansdowne PA makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states mandate that you undergo some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Lansdowne PA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many names and work in a wide variety of specializations including:

Hairdressers
Hairstylists
Beauticians
Barbers
Manicurists
Nail Technicians
Makeup Artists
Hair Coloring Specialists
Estheticians
Electrolysis Technicians

As previously mentioned, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those offering more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees and Certificates

Lansdowne PA hairdresser cutting hair There are basically two options offered 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 normally 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. Briefer programs are available if you want to focus on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely incorporate management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Lansdowne PA business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you opt for, it’s essential to make certain that it’s recognized by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the upcoming segment.

Online Cosmetologist Training

student attending cosmetology school online in Lansdowne PA Online cosmetology classes are convenient for Lansdowne PA students who are working full time and have family commitments that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous online beauty school programs offered that can be accessed by means of a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty programs are frequently fast paced given that many programs are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are covering the same volume of material, but you are not spending numerous hours outside of your home or travelling to and from classes. However, it’s important that the program you pick can provide internship training in local salons and parlors to ensure that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to obtain the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetologist Training Courses

Questions to ask Lansdowne PA beauty schools Following is a list 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 in relation to your Lansdowne PA home, as well as the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the cosmetology college you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in 19050 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Lansdowne PA businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each cosmetologist school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred 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 organizations. If you have any connections with Lansdowne PA salon owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, 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. Finally, contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? Many 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, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your goal is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to start a hair salon in Lansdowne PA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you need.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty classes you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a beauty program offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So look for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a cosmetology program, it’s crucial that he or she gets help in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develope relationships with Lansdowne PA businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Many beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an alternative until you learn what financial help may be available.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Lansdowne PA?

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

Lansdowne, Pennsylvania

Lansdowne is a borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States located 6 miles (10 km) southwest of the City Center of Philadelphia. It was named for the Marquess of Lansdowne. As of the 2010 census the borough had a population of 10,620.[3]

Lansdowne grew quickly in the early part of the twentieth century when a railroad stop was established near the intersection of Lansdowne Avenue and Baltimore Pike. The borough is primarily residential with a commercial center near the original railroad stop. The borough also contained some light industrial buildings which have been in decline in recent decades.

Lansdowne is located in eastern Delaware County at 39°56′29″N 75°16′31″W / 39.94139°N 75.27528°W / 39.94139; -75.27528 (39.941345, -75.275343).[4] It is bordered to the southeast by Yeadon, to the southwest by Aldan and Clifton Heights, and to the north, east, west, and south by Upper Darby Township. Drexel Hill, a part of Upper Darby Township, borders Lansdowne to the northwest, and the borough of East Lansdowne is just 0.1 miles (0.16 km) east of the Lansdowne border.

Pick the Right Cosmetology College near Lansdowne PA

Lansdowne PA barber blow drying client's hair Finding and enrolling in the right beauty school is important to get the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to organize all of the information you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the academy and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied 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 self-assured that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional cosmetologist in Lansdowne PA.