Colleges With Cosmetology Lawrence NY

How to Select the Right Cosmetologist Training Program near Lawrence New York

Lawrence NY wedding makeup artist with client Once you have decided to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Lawrence NY, the task begins to find and enroll in the right school. It’s essential that the program you select not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you might be rather puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll talk a bit more regarding that in the following section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Lawrence residence. Tuition will additionally be an important consideration when reviewing possible schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not necessarily the best option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are offered.

Definition of Cosmetology

Lawrence NY hair stylist cutting hair Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more attractive with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states require that you go through some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Lawrence NY beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many professional names and are employed in a wide variety of specialties including:

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

As previously stated, in most states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption. Only those conducting more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees and Certificates

nail techs training at Lawrence NY beauty school There are essentially two options available to get cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs normally 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 major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you prefer to focus on just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also probably include management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Lawrence NY business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you decide on, it’s essential to make sure that it’s recognized by the New York Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the following segment.

Online Cosmetologist Classes

student attending online beauty school in Lawrence NY Online beauty classes are accommodating for Lawrence NY 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 beauty school programs offered that can be accessed by means of a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are often fast paced due to the fact that 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 numerous hours outside of your home or travelling to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s imperative that the school you select can provide internship training in local salons and parlors in order that you also receive the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. 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 Programs

Questions to ask Lawrence NY cosmetology schools Following is a series of questions that you need to look into for any cosmetologist training school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Lawrence NY home, together with the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like 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 additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the cosmetology college 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 measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in 11559 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Lawrence NY businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any cosmetology institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Lawrence NY 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 propose others that you had not thought of. And last, contact the New York 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 cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating 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 often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you select 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 well regarded for that program. If your vision is to open a hair salon in Lawrence NY, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you need.

Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques requires lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So look for other schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a cosmetology program, it’s crucial that he or she gets help in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with Lawrence NY businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out 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 accessible to students too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you find out what financial aid may be offered.

Considering Cosmetology Schools in Lawrence NY?

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

Lawrence, New York

Lawrence NY barber trimming hair Choosing and enrolling in the ideal beauty college is essential to get the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. You originally came to this website because you have an interest in learning more about Colleges With Cosmetology. So be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Don’t forget to collect all of the responses you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to filter 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 prepared to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Lawrence NY.