Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools West Newton PA

How to Select a Cosmetology College near West Newton Pennsylvania

nail technicians training at West Newton PA beauty school Since you have decided to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near West Newton PA, the task starts to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It’s essential that the school you select not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you might be somewhat confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll talk a little bit more about that in the following section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your West Newton residence. Tuition will also be an important consideration when reviewing potential schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not automatically the ideal choice. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of training programs are available.

Defining Cosmetology

West Newton PA makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful with the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic can be almost anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states require that you take some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only West Newton PA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a customer base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients 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 already mentioned, in most states working 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, which include shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Degrees

West Newton PA hairdresser cutting hair There are basically two avenues available to obtain cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs typically require 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate’s degree ordinarily takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in each of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you want to focus on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also probably feature management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other West Newton PA business. Higher 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 decide on, it’s important to make certain that it’s recognized by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. Many states only approve schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the following segment.

Online Beauty Schools

student attending cosmetology school online in West Newton PA Online cosmetology schools are advantageous for West Newton PA students who are employed full-time and have family responsibilities that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many web-based beauty school programs available that can be accessed by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty programs are typically fast paced given that many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a considerable amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same volume of material, but you’re not spending many hours away from your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it’s important that the program you choose can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to acquire the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Beauty Trade Schools

Questions to ask West Newton PA beauty schools Below is a list of questions that you need to research for any beauty training program you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your West Newton PA residence, as well as the price of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have put together several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the cosmetology college you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in 15089 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous West Newton PA employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any beauty college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with West Newton PA salon owners or managers, or anyone 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 thought of. And finally, check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your goal is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to open a hair salon in West Newton PA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you require.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty courses 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 provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So try to find other schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a beauty program, it’s crucial that he or she receives help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develope relationships with West Newton PA employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative before you find out what financial aid may be offered.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near West Newton PA?

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

West Newton, Pennsylvania

West Newton, located 24.5 miles (39.4 km) southeast of Pittsburgh, is a borough in Westmoreland County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Formerly, the manufacture of radiators and boilers were the chief industries. The population was 2,633 at the 2010 census.

The town traces its roots to 1788, when a group of American pioneers to the Northwest Territory led by Gen. Rufus Putnam traveled overland from Massachusetts and stopped at this location to build boats. They then set out down the Youghiogheny River to the Monogahela and Ohio Rivers, ending their journey and founding the town of Marietta, Ohio. Former names of the town are Simeral's Ferry (also, Sumrill’s Ferry) and Robbstown. Eighteen miners lost their lives in West Newton in 1901 at the Port Royal Mine.[3]

Like many pioneer towns in Western Pennsylvania, West Newton earned its early historical relevance by playing a key role in the westward expansion of the United States. The Simerals were the first family to operate in this area and operated a small ferry on the Youghiogheny River halfway between Connellsville and McKeesport. A New Jersey native and whiskey rebel named Isaac Rob, laid out the town of West Newton, however, it was originally called "Robbstown". The town grew slowly as the community served as a trading outpost where the Old Glades Indian trail met the Youghiogheny River. West Newtons fortunes changed during the mid 19th century. River commerce increased with the construction of slack water dams in the 1830s. The introduction of the Pittsburgh, Connellsvile, and Markles Paper Mill provided early economic developments. Despite facing devastating fires, floods and tragic train wrecks in the 20th century, the people of West Newton persevered, continuing to develop both the infrastructure and economy of their community. As time progressed West Newton eventually transitioned into a bedroom community with a vast majority of residents working outside of the boroughs limits. The community saw new economic life blood, serving as a trail town from visitors around the world.

Enroll in the Right Cosmetologist Training Program near West Newton PA

West Newton PA barber blow drying client's hair Finding and enrolling in the right cosmetologist school is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the information you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your career as a professional cosmetologist in West Newton PA.