Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Dravosburg PA

How to Choose a Beauty College near Dravosburg Pennsylvania

nail technicians training at Dravosburg PA beauty schoolOnce you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Dravosburg PA, the process begins to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It’s essential that the school you choose not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be rather confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We’ll talk a bit further concerning that in the following section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Dravosburg residence. Tuition will also be an important factor when assessing prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not always the ideal choice. There are many other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding 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 programs are offered.

What is Cosmetology

Dravosburg PA makeup ar4tist applying makeupCosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human anatomy look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So of course 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 actually a cosmetic may be almost anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you undergo some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Dravosburg PA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gotten experience and a client base, open their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles and work in a wide range of specialties including:

  • Hairdressers
  • Hairstylists
  • Beauticians
  • Barbers
  • Manicurists
  • Nail Technicians
  • Makeup Artists
  • Hair Coloring Specialists
  • Estheticians
  • Electrolysis Technicians

As formerly stated, in most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Degrees

Dravosburg PA hairdresser cutting hairThere are basically two options available to obtain cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs typically call for 12 to 18 months to finish, 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 main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you want to concentrate on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also probably feature management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Dravosburg PA business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you opt for, it’s essential to make certain that it’s certified by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only approve schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the upcoming section.

Online Beauty Programs

student attending cosmetology school online in Dravosburg PAOnline cosmetology classes are advantageous for Dravosburg PA students who are working full-time and have family obligations that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of online cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended via a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are frequently fast paced because many programs are as brief 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 devoting numerous hours away from your home or commuting back and forth from classes. However, it’s imperative that the school you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors in order that you also receive the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Cosmetologist Training Programs

Questions to ask Dravosburg PA beauty schoolsBelow is a series of questions that you should look into for any cosmetologist training program you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Dravosburg PA residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue 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 even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below 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 essential 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 agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in 15034 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 Dravosburg PA employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Every beauty college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Dravosburg PA salon owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, 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, 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?  A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example 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 objective 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 launch a hair salon in Dravosburg PA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you require.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided?  Practicing and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty school provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s essential that he or she receives aid in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with Dravosburg PA employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask 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 Aid Available?  Almost all beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an option before you find out what financial help may be available.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Dravosburg PA?

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

Dravosburg, Pennsylvania

Dravosburg /drayːˈvoos:boing/ is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, and is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The population was 1,792 at the 2010 census.[3] Dravosburg is located along the Monongahela River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.8 km2), of which 1.0 square mile (2.6 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2), or 9.73%, is water.

By land, Dravosburg is entirely surrounded by West Mifflin. Across the Monongahela River to the east, Dravosburg runs adjacent with McKeesport and Glassport, both boroughs sharing a direct connector via Mansfield Bridge.

Find the Right Beauty School near Dravosburg PA

Dravosburg PA barber blow drying client's hairChoosing and enrolling in the ideal cosmetology school is important to receive the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to consolidate all of the information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied 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 test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Dravosburg PA.

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