Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Niagara Falls NY

How to Pick a Beauty College near Niagara Falls New York

nail technicians training at Niagara Falls NY beauty school Now that you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Niagara Falls NY, the process starts to find and enroll in the right school. It’s imperative that the school you select not only provides the appropriate education for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a little bit further regarding that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Niagara Falls home. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when assessing possible schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not automatically the best choice. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are available.

Defining Cosmetology

Niagara Falls NY makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful through the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order 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 Niagara Falls NY beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own residences or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many professional names 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 formerly stated, in most states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exception. Only those offering more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees

Niagara Falls NY hairdresser cutting hair There are basically two pathways offered to obtain cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs generally call for 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 all of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you want to concentrate on just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Niagara Falls 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. Whichever type of program you opt for, it’s essential to make sure that it’s certified by the New York Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the benefits of accreditation for the school you decide on in the upcoming segment.

Online Cosmetologist Courses

student attending cosmetology school online in Niagara Falls NY Online cosmetology programs are accommodating for Niagara Falls NY students who are working full-time and have family obligations that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many online cosmetology school programs offered that can be accessed via a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are frequently fast paced due to the fact that many programs are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are covering the same amount of material, but you’re not spending numerous hours outside of your home or driving to and from classes. However, it’s important that the training program you pick can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to gain the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Cosmetology Training Courses

Questions to ask Niagara Falls NY beauty schools Following is a series of questions that you need to look into for any beauty training school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Niagara Falls NY home, together with the cost of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly 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 school. Below we have collected 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 certain that the cosmetology training program you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 14301 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Niagara Falls NY employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every beauty college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Niagara Falls NY salon owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar 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 grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you choose 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 well regarded for that program. If your vision is to start a hair salon in Niagara Falls NY, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and refining cosmetology skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty program furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best option for acquiring your skills. So look for alternate schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a cosmetology school, it’s crucial that she or he receives help in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develope relationships with Niagara Falls NY employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which salons and businesses they refer students to. Also, 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 regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn 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 each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an option until you find out what financial aid may be provided.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Niagara Falls NY?

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

Niagara Falls, New York

Niagara Falls (/naɪˈæɡərə/ ny-AG-ər-ə) is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 50,193, down from the 55,593 recorded in the 2000 census. It is adjacent to the Niagara River, across from the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario, and named after the famed Niagara Falls which they share. The city is within the Buffalo–Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Western New York region.

While the city was formerly occupied by Native Americans, Europeans who migrated to the Niagara Falls in the mid-17th century began to open businesses and develop infrastructure. Later in the 18th and 19th centuries, scientists and businessmen began harnessing the power of the Niagara River for electricity and the city began to attract manufacturers and other businesses drawn by the promise of inexpensive hydroelectric power. After the 1960s, however, the city and region witnessed an economic decline, following an attempt at urban renewal under then Mayor Lackey. Consistent with the rest of the Rust Belt as industries left the city, old line affluent families relocated to nearby suburbs and out of town.

Despite the decline in heavy industry, Niagara Falls State Park and the downtown area closest to the falls continue to thrive as a result of tourism. The population, however, has continued to decline from a peak of 102,394 in the 1960s due to the loss of manufacturing jobs in the area.

Pick the Right Cosmetologist Program near Niagara Falls NY

Niagara Falls NY barber blow drying client's hair Selecting and enrolling in the ideal cosmetology program is essential to get the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain 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 employ that information to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Niagara Falls NY.