Schools Of Cosmetology Burlington MA

How to Choose the Right Beauty School near Burlington Massachusetts

Burlington MA wedding makeup artist with client Once you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Burlington MA, the task begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It’s important that the school you choose not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you might be somewhat confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll talk a bit further concerning that in the upcoming section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Burlington home. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when reviewing possible schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not always the ideal choice. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are offered.

Definition of Cosmetology

Burlington MA hair stylist cutting hair Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human anatomy look more beautiful through the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic may 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 kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Burlington MA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gotten experience and a client base, 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 have many names and are employed in a wide range of specializations including:

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

As earlier stated, in most states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption. Only those offering more skilled services, for instance 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 Degrees

nail techs training at Burlington MA beauty school There are basically two pathways offered to obtain cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually require 12 to 18 months to finish, 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 available if you prefer to focus on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also probably incorporate management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Burlington MA 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 training program you decide on, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s approved by the Massachusetts Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only approve schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the benefits of accreditation for the school you decide on in the following segment.

Online Cosmetology Schools

student attending online beauty school in Burlington MA Online beauty classes are accommodating for Burlington MA students who are employed full time and have family responsibilities that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based beauty school programs available that can be attended via a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are typically fast paced given that many courses are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not spending many hours outside of your home or driving to and from classes. However, it’s imperative that the school you pick can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to acquire the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Beauty Training Courses

Questions to ask Burlington MA cosmetology schools Following is a list of questions that you should look into for any beauty training school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Burlington MA home, together with the price of tuition, will probably be your primary 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 narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the cosmetology school you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, 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 may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in 01803 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Burlington MA employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each cosmetology school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Burlington MA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, consult the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you choose a school that specializes in 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 dream is to open a hair salon in Burlington MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you require.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a beauty program, it’s important that he or she receives help in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help develope relationships with Burlington MA employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available? Almost all cosmetology schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Speak 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 as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an option until you find out what financial aid may be offered.

Considering Cosmetology Schools in Burlington MA?

If you are considering attending Beauty School in Burlington MA or in a nearby area, following is some interesting and useful information regarding the location of your new school campus.

Burlington, Massachusetts

It is believed that Burlington takes its name from the English town of Bridlington, Yorkshire, but this has never been confirmed[n 1]. It was first settled in 1641 and was officially incorporated on February 28, 1799; several of the early homesteads are still standing, such as the Francis Wyman House, dating from 1666. The town is sited on the watersheds of the Ipswich, Mystic, and Shawsheen rivers. In colonial times up through the late 19th century, there was industry in the mills along Vine Brook, which runs from Lexington to Bedford and then empties into the Shawsheen River.

Burlington is now a suburban industrial town at the junction of the Boston-Merrimack corridor, but for most of its history it was almost entirely agricultural, selling hops and rye to Boston and supplementing that income with small shoe-making shops. Early railroad expansion passed the town by (although the town was serviced by the Middlesex Turnpike), limiting its early development, and Burlington continued to cure hams for the Boston market and produce milk, fruit, and vegetables.

This picture changed drastically, however, as soon as Route 128 was built. The highway kicked off an enormous expansion, and between 1955 and 1965 Burlington was the fastest growing town in the state. In one five-year period, its population tripled as residential and commercial retail development exploded creating the town's present character. It is currently a residential and professional hub.

Burlington MA barber trimming hair Choosing and enrolling in the ideal cosmetology program is essential to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. You originally came to this website because you have an interest in learning more about Schools Of Cosmetology. So make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to consolidate 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 good start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to begin your career as a professional cosmetologist in Burlington MA.