How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Loysville PA

How to Choose an Esthetician Program near Loysville Pennsylvania

Loysville PA esthetician client with cucumber facial Now that you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Loysville PA, the process starts to locate and enroll in the right program. It’s important that the program you choose not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be a little bit unclear about the distinction 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 discuss a bit more about that in the upcoming segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Loysville residence. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when evaluating possible schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not necessarily the right choice. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of training programs are available.

Definition of Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Loysville PA Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more beautiful with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be almost anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you take some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Loysville PA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a clientele, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many titles and are employed in a wide range of specializations including:

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

As previously stated, in most states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption. Only those performing 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.

Esthetician Certificates and Degrees

Loysville PA esthetician client with face mask There are basically two options available to get esthetician 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 take 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 all of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you want to focus on just one area, for example esthetics. A degree program will also probably include management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Loysville PA business. More advanced 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 choose, it’s essential to make certain that it’s recognized by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the following segment.

Online Esthetics Programs

woman attending esthetician school online in Loysville PA Online esthetician programs are convenient for Loysville PA students who are working full time and have family responsibilities that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are many online beauty school programs offered that can be attended by means of a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty programs are typically fast paced since many courses are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a considerable amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are covering the same volume of material, but you are not spending numerous hours away from your home or commuting to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s vital that the school you select can provide internship training in area salons and parlors in order that you also receive the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to obtain the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Esthetician Programs

Loysville PA models benefit from esthetic treatments Below is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any esthetician training school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Loysville residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the esthetician 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 17047 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Loysville PA employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every esthetician 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 businesses where they have placed their students. Verify 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 relationships with Loysville PA salon owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? Many esthetician schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you decide on a school that focuses on 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 Loysville PA beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you require.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting esthetician skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty academy offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So search for other schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it’s essential that he or she gets support in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with Loysville PA businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which salons and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered? The majority of esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 available to students too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an option before you learn what financial aid may be offered.

Attending Esthetician School Near Loysville PA?

Perhaps you live in the Loysville Pennsylvania area, or have found a school that you will commute to or even relocate to attend. Either way, following is some interesting background information about the location of your new esthetician program.

Pennsylvania Route 274

Pennsylvania Route 274 (PA 274) is a 44-mile-long (71 km) state highway located in Franklin and Perry Counties in Pennsylvania. The western terminus is at PA 75 in the Fannett Township community of Doylesburg. The eastern terminus is at an interchange with U.S. Route 11 (US 11)/US 15 in Duncannon. PA 274 is a two-lane undivided road that runs through rural areas in the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians. The route heads northeast and crosses Conococheague Mountain, at which point it leaves Franklin County for Perry County. PA 274 continues through agricultural valleys and intersects PA 17 in Blain, PA 850 in Loysville and PA 233 and PA 74 in Green Park. In New Bloomfield, PA 274 intersects PA 34 and turns southeast for a concurrency with that route to Mecks Corner. From here, the route continues east to Duncannon.

PA 274 was designated in 1928 to run from PA 75 in Doylesburg east to PA 5 (now PA 34) in New Bloomfield while PA 5 was designated onto the road between New Bloomfield and Duncannon, running concurrent with PA 33 between Mecks Corner and Duncannon. In 1937, PA 274 was extended east from New Bloomfield to PA 14 (later US 11/US 15) in Duncannon, replacing those portions of PA 5 and PA 33. The eastern terminus at US 11/US 15 was rebuilt into an interchange in the 1950s.

PA 274 begins at an intersection with PA 75 in the community of Doylesburg in Fannett Township, Franklin County, heading northeast on two-lane undivided Big Spring Road. The road heads through a mix of farmland and woodland with some homes before ascending forested Conococheague Mountain.[2][3] The route heads into the Tuscarora State Forest and enters Toboyne Township in Perry County and becomes an unnamed road, making a hairpin turn to the southwest before another hairpin turn to the northeast to descend the mountain, passing by Big Spring State Forest Picnic Area. PA 274 runs through more of Tuscarora State Forest before leaving the forest boundaries and heading into open agricultural areas with some homes, passing through New Germantown. The road enters Jackson Township and becomes Mt. Pleasant Road, coming to Mt. Pleasant and becoming an unnamed road again. The route heads into Blain and passes homes, reaching an intersection with PA 17 and turns southeast onto Main Street. PA 274 curves to the east and heads back into Jackson Township, turning northeast into more open farmland as an unnamed road. The road crosses into Southwest Madison Township and curves more to the east, running through Andersonburg. The route heads through more rural areas and passes through Cisna Run and Centar. PA 274 heads through farmland with some woods to the south as it continues into Northeast Madison Township and intersects PA 850 in Fort Robinson.[2][4]

Choose the Right Esthetics College near Loysville PA

Selecting and enrolling in the ideal esthetician program is imperative to receive the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Don’t forget to collect all of the responses you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize 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 certain that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your career as a professional esthetician in Loysville PA.