Makeup Artist Education Lykens PA

How to Enroll In the Right Cosmetology Program near Lykens Pennsylvania

Lykens PA wedding makeup artist with client Since you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Lykens PA, the process starts to find and enroll in the right school. It’s important that the program you pick not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be rather unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We’ll speak a bit more regarding that in the following segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Lykens home. Tuition will also be an important aspect when reviewing prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not necessarily the right choice. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are offered.

What is Cosmetology

Lykens PA hair stylist cutting hair Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more beautiful with the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states mandate that you go through some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Lykens PA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gotten 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 home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many titles 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 already mentioned, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those offering more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees and Certificates

nail techs training at Lykens PA beauty school 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 work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs generally take 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree ordinarily takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you wish to focus on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also probably incorporate management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Lykens PA business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you opt for, it’s essential to make sure that it’s certified by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the following segment.

Online Cosmetologist Training

student attending online beauty school in Lykens PA Online cosmetology schools are advantageous for Lykens PA students who are working full time and have family responsibilities that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of online cosmetology school programs available that can be attended via a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are often fast paced given 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 covering the same volume of material, but you are not spending many hours outside of your home or driving back and forth from classes. However, it’s important that the training program you pick can provide internship training in area salons and parlors to ensure that you also get the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to obtain the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Beauty Programs

Questions to ask Lykens PA cosmetology schools Below is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any cosmetology training program you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Lykens PA home, together with the expense of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have collected several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the School Accredited? It’s necessary to make sure that the cosmetology college you choose 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in 17048 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Lykens PA employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any 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. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Lykens PA salon owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And finally, consult the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you enroll in 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 respected for that program. If your desire is to start a hair salon in Lykens PA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.

Is Enough Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting cosmetology techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty academy provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. So look for alternate 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 important that he or she gets assistance in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with Lykens PA businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all beauty schools provide 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 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 satisfies each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you find out what financial aid may be offered.

Considering Cosmetology Schools in Lykens PA?

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

Lykens, Pennsylvania

Lykens is located in northeastern Dauphin County at 40°34′01″N 76°42′09″W / 40.566850°N 76.702585°W / 40.566850; -76.702585,[7] in the valley of Wiconisco Creek, between Short Mountain and Big Lick Mountain to the north, and Berry Mountain to the south. U.S. Route 209 passes through the borough, leading northeast 29 miles (47 km) to Pottsville and west 14 miles (23 km) to Millersburg on the Susquehanna River.

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 1,937 people, 810 households, and 528 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,450.5 people per square mile (558.1/km2). There were 925 housing units at an average density of 692.7 per square mile (266.5/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 97.47% White, 0.36% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.77% Asian, 0.15% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.52% of the population.

There were 810 households, out of which 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.1% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.8% were non-families. 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.96.

Lykens PA barber trimming hair Choosing and enrolling in the ideal cosmetology school is essential to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. You originally came to this website because you have an interest in learning more about Makeup Artist Education. So be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Don’t forget to consolidate all of the responses you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Lykens PA.