Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Harford NY

How to Choose a Cosmetologist School near Harford New York

nail technicians training at Harford NY beauty school Since you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Harford NY, the task starts to find and enroll in the right school. It’s imperative that the school you choose not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be a little bit puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll speak a bit more concerning that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Harford home. Tuition will also be a critical factor when evaluating prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not necessarily the best choice. There are several other considerations 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 looking at later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are available.

What is Cosmetology

Harford NY makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful with the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that numerous 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 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 take some kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Harford NY beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a client base, open their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing clients either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by 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 most states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those performing 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 be licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Certificates and Degrees

Harford NY hairdresser cutting hair There are basically two options available to receive 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 typically require 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 major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you wish to specialize in just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also probably include management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Harford NY business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you opt for, it’s essential to make sure that it’s certified by the New York Board of Cosmetology. Many states only approve schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the following segment.

Online Beauty Classes

student attending cosmetology school online in Harford NY Online cosmetology schools are advantageous for Harford NY 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 web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be accessed by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty programs are frequently fast paced due to the fact that many courses are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a substantial portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not devoting many hours outside of your home or travelling to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s essential that the training program you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors to ensure that you also get the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship part 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 school to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Cosmetologist Trade Schools

Questions to ask Harford NY beauty schools Below is a list of questions that you will want to research for any cosmetology training school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Harford NY home, together with the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.

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 organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in 13784 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Harford NY businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any cosmetology institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials 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 demanded. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Harford NY salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the New York school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically 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 goal 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 desire is to start a hair salon in Harford NY, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you require.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty school offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a cosmetology academy, it’s essential that he or she receives support in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develope relationships with Harford NY employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Most beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you determine what financial help may be offered.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Harford NY?

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

New York State Route 221

New York State Route 221 (NY 221) is a state highway in Cortland County, New York, in the United States. Its western terminus is at an intersection with NY 38 in the town of Harford. The eastern terminus is at a junction with NY 26 and NY 41 in the town of Willet. Near its western end, NY 221 intersects New York State Route 200. Together, NY 200 and NY 221 form a loop route off NY 38 between the hamlets of Harford and Harford Mills within the town of Harford. NY 221 originally followed modern NY 200 and ended at U.S. Route 11 (US 11) in Marathon when it was assigned as part of the 1930 renumbering of state highways in New York. It was extended to its present length by the following year and realigned to serve Harford later in the decade. NY 200 was assigned in the 1940s.

NY 221 begins at an intersection with NY 38 in the town of Harford. The route progresses northward through a small hamlet, crossing the Owego and Harford Railway and serving a mobile home park. At the intersection with Owego Hill Road, NY 221 turns eastward as a two-lane road, where the route changes backdrops into a more rural and residential mix. After about a mile, the route intersects with NY 200, a 1.37-mile long (2.20 km) route that connects NY 221 back to NY 38 and the hamlet of Harford Mills. At this junction, NY 221 turns north once again, while NY 200 begins on the former right-of-way used by NY 221. The surroundings remain the same as the route continues, turning to the northeast, and soon east at the junction at County Route 131 (CR 131; Babcock Hollow Road).[3]

The rural road bends to the southeast gradually, entering the town of Lapeer, turning east again until it meets CR 133 (Clarks Corner Road). The highway soon reverts to a southeast direction, passing to the north of Beaver Pond and the county line, while NY 221 enters the hamlet of Hunts Corners and intersects with CR 136 (Jennings Creek Road). Here, NY 221 changes direction again, following a northeasterly path out of the hamlet. It bypasses the nearby hamlet of Clarks Corner and soon intersects with the eastern terminus of CR 133, which gives way to NY 221 as the state road merges with the east–west county highway. NY 221 continues on an eastward track into the town of Marathon, where it descends into the Tioughnioga River valley and enters the village of Marathon.[3]

Enroll in the Right Cosmetology Training Program near Harford NY

Harford NY barber blow drying client's hair Locating and enrolling in the right beauty school is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Harford NY.