Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Atlasburg PA

How to Find the Right Cosmetology School near Atlasburg Pennsylvania

nail technicians training at Atlasburg PA beauty school Since you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Atlasburg PA, the process starts to search for and enroll in the right school. It’s important that the school you select not only provides the proper training for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start 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 pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll talk a bit more about that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Atlasburg residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical factor when reviewing prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not necessarily the ideal choice. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding 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 kinds of training programs are offered.

Definition of Cosmetology

Atlasburg PA makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but really a cosmetic can be almost anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states mandate that you undergo some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Atlasburg PA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a client base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing customers either in their own residences or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many titles and work 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 have to be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees

Atlasburg PA hairdresser cutting hair There are basically two avenues offered to get cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs normally 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 trained 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 most likely include management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Atlasburg PA business. Higher degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you go with, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s recognized by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the upcoming section.

Online Beauty Schools

student attending cosmetology school online in Atlasburg PA Online beauty schools are convenient for Atlasburg PA students who are working full time and have family obligations that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of online beauty school programs offered that can be attended through a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are often fast paced since many programs are as short as six or eight months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are covering the same volume of material, but you are not devoting many hours outside of your home or driving back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s important that the school you choose can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors to ensure that you also receive the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills required 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 available in your area.

What to Ask Cosmetologist Training Programs

Questions to ask Atlasburg PA beauty schools Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any cosmetology training program you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Atlasburg PA home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make certain 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 guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in 15004 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Atlasburg PA businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any beauty college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Atlasburg PA salon owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And last, check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you select a school that focuses on 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 desire is to start a hair salon in Atlasburg PA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you require.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty academy offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. So search for other schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s essential that he or she gets assistance in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develope relationships with Atlasburg PA businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which salons and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most beauty schools offer 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 identify 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 available to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an alternative before you learn what financial aid may be available.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Atlasburg PA?

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

Pennsylvania Route 18

Pennsylvania Route 18 (PA 18) is a major north–south highway in Western Pennsylvania whose southern terminus is at West Virginia Route 69 at the state line in Greene County, Pennsylvania near the village of Garrison, while the northern terminus is at PA Route 5 in Lake City, Pennsylvania. At a length of 205 miles (330 km), PA 18 is the only state route in Pennsylvania — north–south or east–west — to traverse the entire state. It also has the distinction of being the longest state route in Pennsylvania.

Traveling northward from West Virginia Route 69 at the West Virginia state line, Route 18 winds through rural Greene County, passing through the villages of Garrison, New Freeport, Nettle Hill, White Cottage, Woodruff, and Holbrook, before making its first junction with another state highway, PA Route 21, just west of the village of Rogersville and over 15 miles (24 km) from the state line. Here the two routes overlap for nearly 6 miles (9.7 km), winding east-northeast through Rogersville and the village of East View, crossing the South Fork of Ten Mile Creek numerous times before reaching the village of West Waynesburg. At this point, Route 18 leaves the concurrency and turns northwest, traveling 12 miles (19 km) to the county line, following along Browns Creek, and passing through the villages of Rees Mill, Sycamore, and Nineveh.

Route 18 enters Washington County, and intersects with the eastern terminus of PA Route 231 and turns to the northeast and traveling over 5 miles (8.0 km), passing near the villages of Old Concord and Sparta. Next, the route meets PA Route 221, and the two overlap for just over a mile, heading northwest through the village of Prosperity. After the village, Route 18 leaves the concurrency and heads northward through the villages of Van Buren, Lagonda, and Gabby Heights as it approaches the city of Washington nearly 10 miles (16 km) later. In Washington, Route 18 briefly overlaps with US 40, and the routes head west, intersect with the western terminus of PA Route 136, and then turn northwest. US 40 then leaves the concurrency, and nearly a mile later, Route 18 interchanges with I-70, connecting via city streets to the entrance and exit ramps. Before departing the city, 0.4 miles (0.64 km) later, the route intersects with the eastern terminus of PA Route 844, turns northward, and passes through the village of Oak Grove. Route 18 passes through the village of Gretna 8.5 miles (13.7 km) later and then overlaps with PA Route 50 for 0.5 miles (0.80 km) a couple miles west of the village of Hickory before continuing north-northwest. The route then passes by the village of Atlasburg and through the village of Slovan before reaching the borough of Burgettstown 7.5 miles (12.1 km) later. Route 18 meets US 22 nearly 4 miles (6.4 km) north of the borough, and then passes through the village of Florence at Old US 22 before reaching the county line just over 3 miles (4.8 km) later.

Select the Right Beauty College near Atlasburg PA

Atlasburg PA barber blow drying client's hair Picking and enrolling in the right cosmetology program is important to get the proper 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. Make certain to compile all of the responses you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Atlasburg PA.