How to Choose a Cosmetology School near Tyrone Pennsylvania
Once you have decided to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Tyrone PA, the process begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It’s imperative that the program you choose not only provides the proper training for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be a little bit unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a little bit further about that in the upcoming segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Tyrone residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when evaluating potential schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not necessarily the ideal option. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are offered.
Defining Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful through the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be almost 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 form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Tyrone PA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a clientele, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many professional names and work in a wide variety of specializations including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As previously mentioned, in most states working cosmetologists must 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 working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Degrees and Certificates
There are essentially two pathways 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 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 each of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you wish to focus on just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also probably incorporate management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Tyrone PA business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you decide on, it’s essential to make sure that it’s certified by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the following section.
Online Cosmetology Training
Online cosmetology programs are convenient for Tyrone PA students who are working full time and have family commitments that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed via a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty programs are often fast paced given that many programs are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a considerable amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are covering the same volume of material, but you are not spending many hours away from your home or driving to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s vital that the training program you choose can provide internship training in local salons and parlors to ensure that you also get the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
What to Ask Cosmetology Training Courses
Following is a list of questions that you will want to research for any cosmetology training school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Tyrone PA home, as well as the expense of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have put together several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the cosmetology college you select 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 assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in 16686 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 Tyrone PA employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every beauty college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Tyrone PA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And last, check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential 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 dream is to start a hair salon in Tyrone PA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you need.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and refining cosmetology skills and techniques requires lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. So search for other schools that provide this kind 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 receives support in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid develope relationships with Tyrone PA employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? 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. Consult 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 offered to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an option before you find out what financial help may be offered.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Tyrone PA?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Tyrone PA area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Tyrone, Pennsylvania
Tyrone is a borough in Blair County, Pennsylvania, 15 miles (24 km) northeast of Altoona, on the Little Juniata River. Tyrone was of considerable commercial importance in the twentieth century. It was an outlet for the Clearfield coal fields, and it was noted for the manufacture of paper products. There were planing mills, and chemical and candy factories. In 1900, 5,847 people lived here; in 1910, 7,176; and in 1940, 8,845 people resided here. The population was 5,477 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Altoona, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area. It was named for County Tyrone in Ireland.[3]
Located along the main lines of the Norfolk Southern and Nittany and Bald Eagle railroads, and US-220, PA-453, and I-99 highways, Tyrone was at one time known as "The Hub of the Highways." In those days four railroads [Pennsylvania, Tyrone and Clearfield, Tyrone and Lock Haven, Lewisburg and Tyrone] and three main highways [US-220, PA-350, PA-453] converged there.
On June 2, 1998, an F1 tornado moved southeast along Pennsylvania Route 453 northwest of Tyrone. Significant tree damage was noted in several locations along a 4-mile path, beginning about 5 miles northwest of Tyrone. No significant damage was reported in Tyrone, although eyewitnesses reported seeing clouds rotating as they crossed the city. This tornado was part of the 1998 Eastern Tornado Outbreak. [5]
Enroll in the Right Cosmetologist School near Tyrone PA
Picking and enrolling in the ideal cosmetologist college is essential to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to organize all of the responses you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Tyrone PA.
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