Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Portsmouth VA

How to Pick a Cosmetology School near Portsmouth Virginia

nail technicians training at Portsmouth VA beauty school Since you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Portsmouth VA, the process begins to find and enroll in the right school. It’s imperative that the school you select not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be somewhat unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a bit further about 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 Portsmouth home. Tuition will additionally be an important aspect when reviewing possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not always the right option. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing 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 kinds of programs are available.

Definition of Cosmetology

Portsmouth VA makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human anatomy look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you take some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Portsmouth VA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a customer base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many professional names and work in a wide variety of specialties including:

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

As previously mentioned, in the majority of states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those offering more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Certificates and Degrees

Portsmouth VA hairdresser cutting hair There are primarily two pathways available to get cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually take 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. Shorter programs are offered if you wish to specialize in just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely incorporate management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Portsmouth VA business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you choose, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s certified by the Virginia Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, for example 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 Cosmetologist Training

student attending cosmetology school online in Portsmouth VA Online beauty schools are accommodating for Portsmouth VA students who are working full-time and have family commitments that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are many online cosmetology school programs available that can be attended through a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty schools are frequently fast paced given that many programs are as brief 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’re not spending many hours outside of your home or travelling to and from classes. However, it’s vital that the school you pick can provide internship training in area salons and parlors to ensure that you also obtain the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to obtain the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Cosmetology Degree Programs

Questions to ask Portsmouth VA beauty schools Below is a list of questions that you need to research for any cosmetology training school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Portsmouth VA residence, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn 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 preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the School Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the cosmetology college you pick 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in 23701 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Portsmouth VA employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each cosmetology college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Portsmouth VA salon owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And last, check with the Virginia 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 Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you enroll in 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 dream is to open a hair salon in Portsmouth VA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.

Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty academy provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. So look for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a cosmetology program, it’s important that she or he gets assistance in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help develope relationships with Portsmouth VA employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, 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 Aid Offered? The majority of beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and find out 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 also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an option before you learn what financial assistance may be available.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Portsmouth VA?

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

Portsmouth, Virginia

The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard, is a historic and active U.S. Navy facility that is actually located in Portsmouth rather than Norfolk; the original name "Gosport" was changed to "Norfolk" to reflect its location in what is now the former Norfolk County, Virginia. The shipyard upgrades, remodels, and repairs ships of the US Navy and is one of the few facilities in the world with the capability to dry dock an aircraft carrier.

Directly opposite Norfolk, the city of Portsmouth also has miles of waterfront land on the Elizabeth River as part of the harbor of Hampton Roads. There is a ferry boat that takes riders back and forth across the water between Downtown Norfolk and Olde Towne Portsmouth.

Portsmouth is located on the western side of the Elizabeth River directly across from the City of Norfolk. In 1620, the future site of Portsmouth was recognized as suitable shipbuilding location by John Wood, a shipbuilder, who petitioned King James I of England for a land grant. The surrounding area was soon settled as a plantation community.[4]

Enroll in the Right Beauty Vocational School near Portsmouth VA

Portsmouth VA barber blow drying client's hair Selecting and enrolling in the ideal beauty program is important to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to organize all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Portsmouth VA.