Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Gwynedd Valley PA

How to Select a Cosmetology School near Gwynedd Valley Pennsylvania

nail technicians training at Gwynedd Valley PA beauty school Once you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Gwynedd Valley PA, the process begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It’s essential that the school you select not only furnishes the necessary instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be a little bit unclear about the distinction 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 talk a bit more concerning that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Gwynedd Valley residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when evaluating possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not automatically the best option. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are available.

Definition of Cosmetology

Gwynedd Valley PA makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human anatomy look more beautiful with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually 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, almost all states require that you undergo some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Gwynedd Valley PA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many titles and are employed in a wide range of specializations including:

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

As previously stated, in most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption. Only those offering 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 be licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees

Gwynedd Valley PA hairdresser cutting hair There are primarily two avenues 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 normally require 12 to 18 months to finish, 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 main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you want to focus on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also likely include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Gwynedd Valley PA business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you decide on, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s approved by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you decide on in the upcoming section.

Online Beauty Programs

student attending cosmetology school online in Gwynedd Valley PA Online beauty classes are accommodating for Gwynedd Valley PA students who are employed full-time and have family commitments that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many online cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are frequently fast paced given that many programs are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same amount of material, but you are not spending numerous hours away from your home or driving to and from classes. However, it’s essential that the training program you choose can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to obtain the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So make sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetologist Training Courses

Questions to ask Gwynedd Valley PA beauty schools Below is a series of questions that you should research for any cosmetologist training program you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Gwynedd Valley PA home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn 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 preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the cosmetology college you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 19437 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Gwynedd Valley PA businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any cosmetology school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Gwynedd Valley PA salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, consult the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your objective is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to open a hair salon in Gwynedd Valley PA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you need.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty academy offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a beauty school, it’s imperative that he or she gets assistance in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develope relationships with Gwynedd Valley PA businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? The majority of cosmetology schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an option before you find out what financial aid may be offered.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Gwynedd Valley PA?

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

Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Mercy University is a Catholic university in Lower Gwynedd Township, Pennsylvania. It occupies a 25 miles (40 km) campus in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. In addition to the Gwynedd Valley campus, Gwynedd Mercy also has locations in Philadelphia and Bensalem, Pennsylvania.[1]

Gwynedd Mercy University was founded in 1948, as Gwynedd-Mercy College, by the Sisters of Mercy as a junior college. In 1963 the college was rechartered as a baccalaureate institution. The school later renamed itself Gwynedd Mercy University.[2] GMercyU offers more than 40 undergraduate and graduate degrees in nursing, education, business, and the arts & sciences.

Dating to the early 1900s the grounds were originally owned by Frances Bond, an investment banker, and were known as Willowbrook Farm. The farm hosted a large Gregorian mansion, formal gardens and outbuildings that were designed by renowned Philadelphia architect Horace Trumbauer, the acclaimed architect of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.[3] The mansion which the Bonds lived in and is now over one-hundred years old, is still in use by the University today as Assumption Hall.

Pick the Right Cosmetologist College near Gwynedd Valley PA

Gwynedd Valley PA barber blow drying client's hair Picking and enrolling in the right beauty college is essential to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the responses you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the academy and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Gwynedd Valley PA.