Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Chappaqua NY

How to Pick a Beauty School near Chappaqua New York

nail technicians training at Chappaqua NY beauty school Since you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Chappaqua NY, the task begins to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It’s imperative that the program you pick not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you may be a little bit unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We’ll speak a little bit more concerning that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Chappaqua home. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when evaluating potential schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not automatically the ideal option. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are offered.

Defining Cosmetology

Chappaqua NY makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more attractive through the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be almost anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you undergo some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Chappaqua NY beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gotten experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many names 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 already stated, in most states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Certificates and Degrees

Chappaqua NY hairdresser cutting hair There are essentially two options available to obtain cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually call for 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate’s degree usually 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 offered if you wish to focus on just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Chappaqua NY business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you go with, it’s essential to make sure that it’s approved by the New York Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the next section.

Online Cosmetology Schools

student attending cosmetology school online in Chappaqua NY Online cosmetology classes are convenient for Chappaqua NY students who are working full-time and have family obligations that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are many online beauty school programs offered that can be accessed through a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty schools are typically fast paced because many programs are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a considerable amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you’re not devoting many hours outside of your home or driving back and forth from classes. However, it’s imperative that the training program you pick can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to obtain the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Cosmetology Training Programs

Questions to ask Chappaqua NY beauty schools Below is a series of questions that you need to look into for any beauty training school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Chappaqua NY home, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue 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 consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have collected several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the School Accredited? It’s important 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 organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in 10514 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Chappaqua NY employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each cosmetologist institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews together with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Chappaqua NY salon owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And last, contact the New York school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you decide on a school that specializes in 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 dream is to open a hair salon in Chappaqua NY, 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 deliver the training you need.

Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So look for other schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s imperative that he or she gets assistance in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develope relationships with Chappaqua NY businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most cosmetology schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Talk to 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 available to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an option until you learn what financial help may be offered.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Chappaqua NY?

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

Chappaqua, New York

Chappaqua (/ˈtʃæpəkwɑː/, CHAP-ə-kwah) is a hamlet and census-designated place in the town of New Castle, in northern Westchester County, New York. It is on 0.45 square miles (1.2 km2) of land on the east bank of the Hudson River, about 30 miles (50 km) north of New York City. The hamlet is served by the Chappaqua station of the Metro-North Railroad's Harlem Line. In the New York State Legislature it is within the New York State Assembly's 93rd district and the New York Senate's 40th district. In Congress the village is in New York's 17th District.

Chappaqua was founded by a group of Quakers in the 1730s and was the home of Horace Greeley, New-York Tribune editor and U.S. congressman. Since the late 1990s, President Bill and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have lived there.

In the early 1730s a group of Quakers moved north from Purchase, New York, to settle in present-day Chappaqua. They built their homes on Quaker Street and held their meetings at the home of Abel Weeks. Their meeting house was built in 1753 and still holds weekly meetings each Sunday. The area around the meeting house, known as Old Chappaqua Historic District, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.[6]Horace Greeley's home, known as Rehoboth and built by Greeley himself, still stands in Chappaqua. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places along with Chappaqua Railroad Depot and Depot Plaza, Church of Saint Mary the Virgin and Greeley Grove, and the Greeley House.[6]

Find the Right Cosmetology College near Chappaqua NY

Chappaqua NY barber blow drying client's hair Locating and enrolling in the right cosmetologist school is imperative to get the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Make 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 get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to start your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Chappaqua NY.