Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Taylorstown PA

How to Find the Right Cosmetology College near Taylorstown Pennsylvania

nail technicians training at Taylorstown PA beauty school Once you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Taylorstown PA, the task starts to locate and enroll in the right school. It’s essential that the school you choose not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be rather confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a bit more regarding that in the following segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Taylorstown home. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when reviewing prospective schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not always the best option. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are offered.

What is Cosmetology

Taylorstown PA makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more beautiful with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states require that you take some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Taylorstown 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 residences or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles and work in a wide variety of specialties including:

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

As earlier stated, in the majority of 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. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Certificates and Degrees

Taylorstown PA hairdresser cutting hair There are basically two pathways offered to get 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 typically require 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 main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you wish to specialize in just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Taylorstown PA business. Higher degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you decide on, it’s essential 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 organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the following section.

Online Beauty Courses

student attending cosmetology school online in Taylorstown PA Online cosmetology programs are convenient for Taylorstown PA students who are working full-time and have family commitments that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be attended through a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty programs are often fast paced because many courses are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a substantial amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you’re not devoting many hours away from your home or driving to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s essential that the program you pick can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Cosmetology Trade Schools

Questions to ask Taylorstown PA beauty schools Following is a list of questions that you will want to research for any cosmetology training program you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Taylorstown PA residence, as well as the price of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the cosmetology school you choose 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in 15365 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Taylorstown PA businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every cosmetologist college 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 endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Taylorstown PA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, 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 comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your ambition is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your vision is to launch a hair salon in Taylorstown PA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you need.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. So look for other schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a beauty school, it’s imperative that she or he receives support in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with Taylorstown PA businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which salons and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered? The majority of beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn 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 offered to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an option until you find out what financial aid may be available.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Taylorstown PA?

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

Pennsylvania Route 221

Pennsylvania Route 221 (PA 221) is a 31-mile-long (50 km) state highway located in Greene and Washington Counties in Pennsylvania. The southern terminus is at PA 188 near Jefferson. The northern terminus is at PA 231 in Acheson.

PA 221 begins at an intersection with PA 188 in Morgan Township, Greene County, heading northwest on two-lane undivided Lippencott Road. The road heads through a mix of farmland and woodland with some homes, running to the northeast of Ruff Creek and passing through Lippincott. The route winds through more rural areas, crossing into Washington Township and coming to an interchange with I-79. A short distance later, PA 221 comes to an intersection with US 19 in Ruff Creek. At this point, the road becomes Dunn Station Road and runs northwest through more areas of farms and woods with a few residences, turning to the north-northwest. The route continues through more rural areas, passing through Hope before briefly crossing into Morris Township.[1][2]

PA 221 enters Morris Township in Washington County and becomes Conger Road, heading into wooded areas with a few fields. The route turns north and passes through Dunns Station and Plumbsock, turning west onto Plumsock Road. The route winds northwest through areas of farms and woods with some homes, coming to an intersection with PA 18. Here, PA 221 forms a concurrency with PA 18, heading northwest on Prosperity Pike. The road passes through woodland before heading past a few farms and running through the residential community of Prosperity. PA 221 splits from PA 18 by continuing northwest along S-Bridge Road, heading through agricultural areas with some woods and homes. The road turns north through more rural areas, curving northwest into South Franklin Township. The route curves back to the north and continues through more farmland and woodland with occasional residences. PA 221 enters Buffalo Township and comes to an interchange with I-70. Past this, the road runs northwest through wooded areas with some homes, reaching an intersection with US 40. The route becomes Green Valley Road and heads through farm fields with some woodland and residences. PA 221 turns north-northwest and heads into Blaine Township, heading into residential areas as Constitution Boulevard and curving west into Taylorstown. Here, the route turns north onto Buffalo Creek Road and winds northwest through woods with some farms and homes. PA 221 continues northwest to its northern terminus at PA 231.[1][3]

Find the Right Cosmetology School near Taylorstown PA

Taylorstown PA barber blow drying client's hair Locating and enrolling in the ideal cosmetologist program is imperative to obtain the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the responses you get from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start 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 selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to begin your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Taylorstown PA.