How to Find the Right Cosmetology School near Lewistown Pennsylvania

Now that you have decided to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Lewistown PA, the task starts to find and enroll in the best school. It’s important 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 examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be rather puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a little bit more about that in the following segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Lewistown residence. Tuition will also be a critical factor when evaluating possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not always the right choice. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine 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 training programs are offered.

Defining Cosmetology

Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more attractive through the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be almost anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states mandate that you go through some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Lewistown PA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many titles and work in a wide range of specializations including:

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

As earlier mentioned, in the majority of states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In certain 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 be licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees

There are essentially two avenues offered to get cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs normally take 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 trained in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you prefer to specialize in just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also likely include management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Lewistown PA business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you decide on, it’s essential to make certain that it’s recognized by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only approve schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the next section.

Online Cosmetology Programs

Online cosmetology classes are accommodating for Lewistown PA students who are employed full-time and have family obligations that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended by means of a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty schools are often fast paced because many programs are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a large portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you’re not spending many hours away from your home or driving back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s imperative that the training program you pick can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to obtain the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetologist Trade Schools

Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any beauty training program you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Lewistown PA home, together with the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue 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 additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the cosmetology training program you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in 17044 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Lewistown PA businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Every beauty institute that you are seriously evaluating 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 placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Lewistown PA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. Finally, consult the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential 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 respected for that program. If your aspiration is to open a hair salon in Lewistown PA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you need.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided?  Practicing and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty academy furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So search for other schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  As soon as a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s essential that she or he gets support in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with Lewistown PA employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which salons and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  The majority of beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to 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 expense, do not drop it as an option until you learn what financial assistance may be available.

Considering Cosmetology Schools in Lewistown PA?

If you are considering attending Beauty School in Lewistown PA or in a nearby area, following is some interesting and useful information regarding the location of your new school campus.

Accredited Online Makeup Artist Schools Lewistown PA

Locating and enrolling in the right cosmetologist college is imperative to get the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. You originally came to this website because you have an interest in learning more about Accredited Online Makeup Artist Schools. So be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Don’t forget to compile all of the information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Lewistown PA.

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