Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Fort Belvoir VA

How to Pick a Beauty College near Fort Belvoir Virginia

nail technicians training at Fort Belvoir VA beauty school Since you have decided to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Fort Belvoir VA, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It’s important that the program you select not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be somewhat puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We’ll speak a bit more concerning that in the following segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Fort Belvoir home. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when assessing possible schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not always the best option. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing 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 kinds of courses are offered.

Definition of Cosmetology

Fort Belvoir VA makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human anatomy look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states mandate that you undergo some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Fort Belvoir VA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing customers either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many 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 formerly mentioned, in most states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In certain states there is an exception. Only those offering more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Degrees and Certificates

Fort Belvoir VA hairdresser cutting hair There are primarily two avenues available 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 generally require 12 to 18 months to complete, 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 major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you prefer to specialize in just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also probably feature management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Fort Belvoir VA business. Higher degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you opt for, it’s essential to make certain that it’s approved by the Virginia Board of Cosmetology. Many states only approve schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the next section.

Online Beauty Training

student attending cosmetology school online in Fort Belvoir VA Online beauty programs are advantageous for Fort Belvoir VA students who are working full time and have family commitments that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended through a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are typically fast paced given that many programs are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a considerable portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same volume of material, but you’re not spending many hours away from your home or driving back and forth from classes. However, it’s essential that the training program you pick can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to acquire the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

What to Ask Beauty Training Courses

Questions to ask Fort Belvoir VA beauty schools Below is a series of questions that you need to look into for any cosmetology training program you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Fort Belvoir VA residence, together with the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want 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 initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the cosmetology school 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 guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in 22060 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Fort Belvoir VA businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each cosmetology school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials 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 regarded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Fort Belvoir VA salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. Finally, consult the Virginia school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you choose 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 respected for that program. If your dream is to open a hair salon in Fort Belvoir VA, 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 require.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and refining cosmetology skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. So try to find other schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a cosmetology academy, it’s essential that he or she gets assistance in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with Fort Belvoir VA employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Almost all cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn 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 also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an option before you determine what financial help may be available.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Fort Belvoir VA?

If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Fort Belvoir VA area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.

Fort Belvoir

Fort Belvoir /ˈbɛlvwɑːr/ is a United States Army installation and a census-designated place (CDP) in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. It was developed on the site of the former Belvoir plantation, seat of the prominent Fairfax family for whom Fairfax County was named.

Today, Fort Belvoir is home to a number of important United States military organizations. With nearly twice as many workers as The Pentagon, Belvoir is the largest employer in Fairfax County. Fort Belvoir comprises three geographically distinct properties: the main base, Davison Army Airfield, and the Fort Belvoir North Area.

The post was founded during World War I as Camp A. A. Humphreys, named for Union Civil War general Andrew A. Humphreys, who was also Chief of Engineers. The post was renamed as Fort Belvoir in the 1930s in recognition of the Belvoir plantation that once occupied the site. The adjacent United States Army Corps of Engineers Humphreys Engineer Center retains part of the original name.

Find the Right Beauty Vocational School near Fort Belvoir VA

Fort Belvoir VA barber blow drying client's hair Locating and enrolling in the right cosmetology school is important to obtain the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Don’t forget to consolidate all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A good start 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. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Fort Belvoir VA.