How to Select a Beauty School near Shamokin Dam Pennsylvania
Now that you have decided to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Shamokin Dam PA, the process starts to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It’s imperative that the program you select not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be somewhat puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We’ll talk a little bit more regarding that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Shamokin Dam home. Tuition will also be an important consideration when evaluating prospective schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not necessarily the ideal option. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are available.
What is Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more beautiful with the use 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 word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be almost anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states require that you go through some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Shamokin Dam PA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gotten experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing customers either in their own residences or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many professional names 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 formerly stated, in most states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Certificates and Degrees
There are primarily two options available to get 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 require 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree usually 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 offered if you wish to specialize in just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also probably include management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Shamokin Dam PA business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you choose, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s certified by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the next section.
Online Cosmetology Courses
Online cosmetology classes are advantageous for Shamokin Dam PA students who are employed full-time and have family obligations that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many online cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended by means of a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology programs are frequently fast paced since many programs are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a considerable amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you’re not spending numerous hours away from your home or driving to and from classes. However, it’s imperative that the school you choose can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors in order that you also receive the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is available in your area.
Questions to Ask Cosmetologist Degree Programs
Below is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any cosmetologist training program you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Shamokin Dam PA residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like 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 initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the cosmetology college 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 measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in 17876 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Shamokin Dam PA employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each beauty institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Shamokin Dam PA salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you enroll in 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 Shamokin Dam PA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of 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 classes you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty academy provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a beauty school, it’s imperative that he or she gets assistance in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with Shamokin Dam PA employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which salons and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Many cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an option until you determine what financial help may be offered.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Shamokin Dam PA?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Shamokin Dam PA area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Shamokin Dam, Pennsylvania
"Shamokin" /ʃəˈmoʊkɪn/, or "Shahëmokink" in the Delaware language,[3] and Schahamokink in another Algonquian language, means "place of eels." The borough name is also derived from a 10-foot-tall (3.0 m) dam that was built across the Susquehanna River in the 19th century. The dam supported steamboat ferries run by Ira T. Clement, which transported goods and people between Shamokin Dam and the city of Sunbury on the Northumberland County side of the river. These ferries operated from 1772 until the Bainbridge Street Bridge was built in 1907. The dam also provided water to the Susquehanna Division of the Pennsylvania Canal System which was constructed on the western bank of the river. The dam was destroyed by ice in March 1904. Shamokin Dam is distinct from the city of Shamokin, Pennsylvania, which is located to the east.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.9 square miles (4.9 km2), of which 1.8 square miles (4.7 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) (2.66%) is water.
Shamokin Dam sits on the western bank of the Susquehanna River just south of the confluence of the river's west and north branches. The borough is also bordered by the community of Hummels Wharf, Monroe Township, and U.S. Route 15.
Choose the Right Cosmetology Program near Shamokin Dam PA
Picking and enrolling in the ideal beauty school is essential to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the academy and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Shamokin Dam PA.
Other Beautiful Locations in Pennsylvania
Business Results 1 - 10 of 0
