How to Enroll In the Right Esthetician College near Athens Pennsylvania
Now that you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Athens PA, the task begins to search for and enroll in the ideal program. It’s imperative that the program you select not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be a little bit confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We’ll talk a bit further about that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Athens residence. Tuition will also be a critical factor when evaluating potential schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not automatically the right option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning 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 types of courses are available.
Request Free Information Below on Esthetician Schools Near You or Online
Definition of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human anatomy look more beautiful through the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are regarded 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 look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states mandate that you undergo some kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Athens PA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gotten experience and a clientele, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many titles and work in a wide variety of specializations including:
- Estheticians
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Electrolysis Technicians
As formerly mentioned, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those offering more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Esthetician Schools Near You!
Esthetics Degrees
There are essentially two pathways offered to receive esthetician training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs typically call for 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 instructed in each of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you wish to concentrate on just one area, such as esthetics. A degree program will also likely include management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Athens PA business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you decide on, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s certified by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the following segment.
Online Esthetician Courses
Online esthetician schools are convenient for Athens PA students who are employed full-time and have family obligations that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of online cosmetology school programs offered that can be accessed via a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are typically fast paced because many courses are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a substantial amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not devoting many hours outside of your home or commuting back and forth from classes. However, it’s essential that the program you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors to ensure that you also get the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to acquire the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So make sure if you choose to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Esthetics Schools
Following is a list of questions that you will want to research for any esthetician training program you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Athens residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the esthetician school you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in 18810 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Athens PA employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each esthetician college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Athens PA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And last, check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many esthetician schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing 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 pick 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 well regarded for that program. If your vision is to open a Athens PA beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining esthetician skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty program furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from an esthetician program, it’s important that he or she receives aid in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with Athens PA businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? The majority of esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an option before you learn what financial assistance may be provided.
Best Esthetician Schools Near Me Athens Pennsylvania
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal esthetician program is essential to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Don’t forget to collect all of the responses 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 sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Best Esthetician Schools Near Me and wanting more information on the topic Evening Esthetics Classes Online. However, if you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied 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 confident that you are ready to begin your new career as a professional esthetician in Athens PA.
More Beautiful Spots in Pennsylvania
Athens, Pennsylvania
Athens is a borough in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, United States, located 2 miles (3 km) south of the New York state line on the Susquehanna and Chemung rivers. The population was 3,749 in 1900 and 3,796 in 1910. The population was 3,367 at the 2010 census.[4] Athens is in a small area locally known as "The Valley", a group of four contiguous communities in Pennsylvania and New York: Waverly, New York; South Waverly, Pennsylvania; Sayre, Pennsylvania; and Athens. The Valley has a population near 30,000.
In September 2011, Athens was heavily damaged by river flooding from Tropical Storm Lee. Much of Athens was under water, with the most damage in the downtown area along the river. Damage in nearby Tioga County, New York, was estimated at $100 million.[5]
Athens is located in northern Bradford County at 41°57′50″N 76°31′21″W / 41.96389°N 76.52250°W / 41.96389; -76.52250 (41.963809, -76.522608).[7] It lies on land between the Susquehanna River to the east and the Chemung River to the west, extending southward to their confluence at Tioga Point. The borough of Sayre borders Athens to the north, and Athens Township borders the remainder of the borough, to the east, west, and south.
Business Results 1 - 10 of 7
7 Reviews 
2 Reviews 
8 Reviews 
4 Reviews 
1 Reviews 
13 Reviews 
4 Reviews 