Makeup Artistry School Lampeter PA

How to Choose the Right Cosmetologist Program near Lampeter Pennsylvania

Lampeter PA wedding makeup artist with client Now that you have decided to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Lampeter PA, the process starts to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It’s important that the program you pick not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be rather confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We’ll talk a little bit more concerning that in the following segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Lampeter residence. Tuition will also be an important aspect when reviewing possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not necessarily the right option. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over 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 types of programs are offered.

Defining Cosmetology

Lampeter PA hair stylist cutting hair Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human anatomy look more beautiful with the use 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 can be almost anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states require that you take some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Lampeter PA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gotten experience and a client base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles and are employed in a wide range of specialties including:

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

As formerly stated, in most states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those performing more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Certificates and Degrees

nail techs training at Lampeter PA beauty school There are essentially two options offered to obtain cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs generally call for 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate’s degree usually 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 prefer to specialize in just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also likely incorporate management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Lampeter PA business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you choose, it’s essential to make sure that it’s approved by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. Many states only approve schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the next segment.

Online Cosmetology Schools

student attending online beauty school in Lampeter PA Online cosmetology programs are advantageous for Lampeter PA students who are working full time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous online cosmetology school programs offered that can be accessed through a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are typically fast paced because many courses are as short as six or eight months. This means that a large portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not spending numerous hours outside of your home or commuting back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s vital that the school you pick can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to obtain the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Beauty Programs

Questions to ask Lampeter PA cosmetology schools Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any cosmetology training program you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Lampeter PA home, in addition to the price of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the cosmetology college you enroll in 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 measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 17537 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Lampeter PA businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any cosmetologist school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews together with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Lampeter PA salon owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And finally, consult the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing 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 often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you choose a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your intention 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 open a hair salon in Lampeter PA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you require.

Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty academy provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s imperative that she or he receives support in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develope relationships with Lampeter PA employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out 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 Aid Offered? Almost all cosmetology schools provide 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 find out 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 as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an option until you find out what financial aid may be offered.

Considering Cosmetology Schools in Lampeter PA?

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

East Lampeter Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

East Lampeter Township is one of the six suburbs that border the city of Lancaster, all sharing the same ZIP code with Lancaster.[5] Though the township is predominantly rural and agricultural, the busy highway U.S. 30, also known as the Lincoln Highway, crosses the township from the northwest to the southeast, traveling about eight and one-half miles. The two and one-half mile stretch bordering the city of Lancaster is very congested and serves many businesses including East Town Mall, the Lancaster Mennonite School, Dutch Wonderland Amusement Park, Tanger Outlets, Rockvale Outlets, and several hotels and fast food businesses.[6]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 20.0 square miles (52 km2), of which, 20.0 square miles (52 km2) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) of it (0.30%) is water.

As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 13,556 people, 5,342 households, and 3,739 families residing in the township. The population density was 679.5 people per square mile (262.4/km²). There were 5,611 housing units at an average density of 281.2/sq mi (108.6/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 92.13% White, 2.11% Black or African American, 0.07% Native American, 2.72% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.85% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. 3.87% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. The township has a large Amish and Mennonite population.

Lampeter PA barber trimming hair Picking and enrolling in the right beauty school is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. You originally came to this website because you have an interest in learning more about Makeup Artistry School. So make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the information you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, 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 test, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Lampeter PA.