How to Find the Right Cosmetologist College near Summerhill Pennsylvania
Once you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Summerhill PA, the process starts to find and enroll in the right school. It’s important that the program you select not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be somewhat 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 kind of school. We’ll discuss a bit further regarding that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Summerhill residence. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when reviewing potential schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not necessarily the best choice. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are offered.
Definition of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human anatomy look more beautiful through the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states require that you go through some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Summerhill PA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gotten experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients either in their own residences or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles 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 already mentioned, in most states working 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. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Degrees
There are primarily two avenues 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 usually call for 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 instructed in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you prefer to focus on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Summerhill PA business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you decide on, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s certified by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the following segment.
Online Beauty Courses
Online beauty classes are accommodating for Summerhill PA students who are employed full time and have family commitments that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based beauty school programs available that can be accessed through a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty programs are often fast paced given that many programs are as short as six or eight months. This means that a considerable portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not devoting many hours away from your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it’s essential 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 acquire the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So make sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Cosmetology Training Programs
Following is a series of questions that you should research for any cosmetologist training program you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Summerhill PA residence, together with the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s necessary to make sure that the cosmetology school you pick 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 measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in 15958 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 Summerhill PA employers 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 college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. 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 regarded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Summerhill PA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often 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 objective 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 aspiration is to start a hair salon in Summerhill PA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and refining cosmetology skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty academy offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for developing your skills. So search for other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a beauty school, it’s important that he or she gets aid in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with Summerhill PA employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? The majority of beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and learn 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 available to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an option until you determine what financial aid may be offered.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Summerhill PA?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Summerhill PA area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Summerhill, Pennsylvania
Summerhill, a small borough in the Allegheny Mountains in southwestern Pennsylvania, was settled in the early 1800s and grew in large part from the Allegheny Portage Railroad and the Pennsylvania Railroad.
The Thomas and Barbara Croyle family was one of the earliest recorded families to settle in the town in 1794. Their family homestead, a two-story stone structure that still stands, served the family as a fortress against Indian attacks. According to some sources, Indians burned the Croyles' cabin and property, causing the family to seek refuge at Fort Bedford. By 1800, Barbara Croyle chose to rebuild their homestead with stone; she limited windows to two sides of the house to keep it stronger if attacked.[4][5]
The Croyle family built a grist mill, known locally as Croyle's Mill, and a dam on the Little Conemaugh River to operate it. The establishment of the mill was significant enough for the county to notice and fund its first public works project, a dirt road from Ebensburg to Croyle's Mill. The mill operated into the 1900s.[4]
Select the Right Cosmetologist Program near Summerhill PA
Choosing and enrolling in the right cosmetologist college is imperative to receive the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer 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 selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Summerhill PA.
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