How to Pick a Beauty School near Tamaqua Pennsylvania
Now that you have decided to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Tamaqua PA, the task begins to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It’s essential that the program you choose not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat unclear 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 speak a bit more about that in the following section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Tamaqua home. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when assessing potential schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not always the best choice. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are available.
What is Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human anatomy look more beautiful through the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can 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 take some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Tamaqua PA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing customers either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many names and work in a wide range of specializations including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As already stated, in most states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those performing more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Degrees and Certificates
There are essentially two avenues 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 usually take 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree commonly takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you prefer to concentrate on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Tamaqua PA business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you go with, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s recognized by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only certify 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 select in the upcoming segment.
Online Cosmetology Training
Online beauty schools are advantageous for Tamaqua PA students who are working full-time and have family obligations that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are many web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are often fast paced due to the fact that 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 covering the same amount of material, but you are not devoting many hours outside of your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it’s essential that the program you pick can provide internship training in area salons and parlors to ensure that you also obtain the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to obtain the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
What to Ask Beauty Trade Schools
Following is a series of questions that you should research for any beauty training school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Tamaqua PA residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the cosmetology training program you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in 18252 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Tamaqua PA employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each beauty college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Tamaqua 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 thought of. And 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? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you enroll in a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your intention 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 start a hair salon in Tamaqua PA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked 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? Learning and refining cosmetology skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a beauty academy offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s imperative that he or she receives aid in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develope relationships with Tamaqua PA employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which salons and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an alternative until you find out what financial aid may be available.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Tamaqua PA?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Tamaqua PA area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Tamaqua, Pennsylvania
Tamaqua (pronounced tuh-MAH-qwah) is a borough in eastern Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, United States. The borough, located in Central Eastern Pennsylvania's Southern Coal Region, had a population of 7,107 as of the 2010 U.S. Census,[4] a drop of less than 1% from 2000. In 2013, population of 6,976, Tamaqua is part of the Pottsville, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Tamaqua is located in a valley basin at 40°47′55″N 75°57′59″W / 40.79861°N 75.96639°W / 40.79861; -75.96639 (40.798600, -75.966498)[5] situated within the Pennsylvania Southern Coal Region section of the Appalachian Mountains in the Schuylkill River drainage basin. Tamaqua's valley is just off the western end of the Pocono Mountains, just on the edge of the neighboring Lehigh watershed. Because of the dominant terrain the town is typical of medium towns in Ridge-and-valley Appalachians—low lands and flats were historically given over to business, rail transport, and industries, with dwellings located upon the slopes above.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 10.0 square miles (26 km2), of which, 9.8 square miles (25 km2) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) (1.31%) of it is water. Three streams pass through Tamaqua. The Little Schuylkill River, lesser known by its earlier name, the Tamaqua River, runs through the town from the north through the gap separating the folds of what would be an unbroken ridgeline but are now the separated ridges known as Sharp Mountain on the west and Nesquehoning Mountain. Panther Creek, flows southwest from Lansford, 5 miles away, and joins the Little Schuylkill in Tamaqua. The Wabash Creek joins the Little Schuylkill from the west.
Enroll in the Right Beauty Training Program near Tamaqua PA
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal beauty program is essential 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 certain about your decision. Don’t forget to consolidate all of the responses you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the academy and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right 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 Tamaqua PA.
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