Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Oakdale PA

How to Find the Right Cosmetologist College near Oakdale Pennsylvania

nail technicians training at Oakdale PA beauty school Once you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Oakdale PA, the process starts to find and enroll in the ideal school. It’s essential that the program you select not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be somewhat 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 regarding that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Oakdale residence. Tuition will also be an important factor when assessing possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it’s not always the best option. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of training programs are offered.

Defining Cosmetology

Oakdale PA makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more attractive with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states require that you undergo some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Oakdale PA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a client base, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many titles 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 working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Certificates and Degrees

Oakdale PA hairdresser cutting hair There are primarily two avenues offered to obtain cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs normally call for 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 all of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you wish to concentrate on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also probably feature management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Oakdale PA business. More advanced 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 go with, it’s important to make sure that it’s certified by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only certify schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the next section.

Online Beauty Schools

student attending cosmetology school online in Oakdale PA Online cosmetology classes are advantageous for Oakdale PA students who are working full-time and have family obligations that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended through a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty programs are typically fast paced since many programs are as short as six or eight months. This means that a considerable amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you’re not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it’s imperative that the program you select can provide internship training in area salons and parlors to ensure that you also obtain the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetologist Training Courses

Questions to ask Oakdale PA beauty schools Following is a series of questions that you need to look into for any cosmetologist training school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Oakdale PA home, together with the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make certain that the cosmetology training program you choose 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 15071 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Oakdale PA businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every beauty school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Oakdale PA 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 suggest others that you had not considered. Finally, contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive 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 typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you decide on a school that specializes in 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 respected for that program. If your vision is to open a hair salon in Oakdale PA, then you want 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 pursuing will not provide the training you require.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore search for other schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a cosmetology program, it’s imperative that he or she receives help in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help develope relationships with Oakdale PA employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available? The majority of beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn 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 offered to students as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an option until you learn what financial help may be provided.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Oakdale PA?

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

Oakdale, Pennsylvania

School tax millage rate- The West Allegheny SD (shared with Findlay Twp., North Fayette Twp. and Oakdale Borough) in 2017 was 18.51. This ranked 34th highest/most expensive out of Allegheny County's 45 school districts, between Avonworth SD (34th highest) and Quaker Valley SD (36th highest).[7]

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 1,551 people, 604 households, and 445 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,956.0 people per square mile (1,151.6/km²). There were 640 housing units at an average density of 1,219.8 per square mile (475.2/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.19% White, 0.90% African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 0.39% from other races, and 0.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.71% of the population.

There were 604 households, out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.1% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.2% were non-families. 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.04.

Select the Right Cosmetologist Training Program near Oakdale PA

Oakdale PA barber blow drying client's hair Picking and enrolling in the right cosmetologist program is important to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Don’t forget to consolidate all of the information you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this post, 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 examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Oakdale PA.