Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Millersville PA

How to Select a Cosmetologist College near Millersville Pennsylvania

nail technicians training at Millersville PA beauty school Once you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Millersville PA, the process starts to find and enroll in the best school. It’s imperative that the school you select not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be a little bit confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a bit more concerning that in the upcoming segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Millersville residence. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when assessing prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not necessarily the right choice. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are offered.

What is Cosmetology

Millersville PA makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more attractive with the application of cosmetics. So of course 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 almost anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states require that you take some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Millersville PA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a client base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing customers either in their own residences or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many names and are employed in a wide variety of specialties including:

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

As previously stated, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, for instance 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

Millersville PA hairdresser cutting hair There are primarily two pathways offered to obtain cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually call for 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 instructed in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you wish to specialize in just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also likely incorporate management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Millersville PA business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you go with, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s approved by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the upcoming segment.

Online Beauty Training

student attending cosmetology school online in Millersville PA Online cosmetology programs are advantageous for Millersville PA students who are employed full-time and have family commitments that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous online cosmetology school programs available that can be attended via a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are typically fast paced since many programs are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are covering the same volume of material, but you’re not devoting many hours outside of your home or commuting 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 to ensure that you also obtain the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to acquire the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Cosmetologist Trade Schools

Questions to ask Millersville PA beauty schools Below is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any beauty training school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Millersville PA home, together with the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly 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 narrowed 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 compiled several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make certain that the cosmetology training program you select 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 17551 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Millersville PA businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every cosmetologist school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements 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. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Millersville PA salon owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And last, contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances 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, concentrating 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 important that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your ambition 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 vision is to launch a hair salon in Millersville PA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you require.

Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting cosmetology techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty program provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So look for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a cosmetology program, it’s crucial that she or he receives assistance in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with Millersville PA employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available? Almost all beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an option before you determine what financial assistance may be provided.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Millersville PA?

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

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Millersville University of Pennsylvania (commonly known as Millersville University, The Ville, or MU) is a public university in Millersville, Pennsylvania. It is one of the fourteen schools that comprise the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). Founded in 1855 as the first Normal School in Pennsylvania, Millersville is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools[2] and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.[3]

First established in 1854 as the Millersville Academy out of the since-demolished Old Main,[4] the Academy specialized in a series of workshop-style teacher institutes in response to the 1934 Free School Act of Pennsylvania.[5]

Millersville University was established in 1855 as the Lancaster County Normal School, the first state normal school in Pennsylvania. It subsequently changed its name to Millersville State Normal School in 1859 and Millersville later became a state teachers college in 1927. It was renamed Millersville State College in 1959 and officially became Millersville University of Pennsylvania in 1983.

Enroll in the Right Cosmetologist College near Millersville PA

Millersville PA barber blow drying client's hair Picking and enrolling in the ideal cosmetology college is important to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Don’t forget to compile all of the responses you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the academy and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your career as a professional cosmetologist in Millersville PA.