Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Charleston WV

How to Find the Right Beauty College near Charleston West Virginia

nail technicians training at Charleston WV beauty school Once you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Charleston WV, the task begins to search for and enroll in the best school. It’s essential that the school you choose not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be rather confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll speak a little bit more concerning that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Charleston home. Tuition will likewise be a critical factor when assessing prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not always the right choice. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are offered.

Definition of Cosmetology

Charleston WV makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human anatomy look more beautiful with the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic may be anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you undergo some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Charleston WV beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a client base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many professional names 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 mentioned, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees

Charleston WV hairdresser cutting hair There are primarily two pathways offered to obtain 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 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 major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you want to focus on just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also likely include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Charleston WV business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you choose, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s certified by the West Virginia Board of Cosmetology. Many states only approve schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the next segment.

Online Cosmetologist Training

student attending cosmetology school online in Charleston WV Online beauty programs are accommodating for Charleston WV students who are working full-time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based beauty school programs available that can be accessed through a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty programs are often fast paced since many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a substantial amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you’re not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or commuting back and forth from classes. However, it’s essential that the training program you choose can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors in order that you also receive the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Beauty Training Courses

Questions to ask Charleston WV beauty schools Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any beauty training school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Charleston WV residence, together with the price of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the cosmetology training program you pick 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 comply with their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in 25301 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 Charleston WV 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? Every cosmetology institute that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Charleston WV salon owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And last, consult the West 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 Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad 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 typically broaden 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 ambition is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your dream is to start a hair salon in Charleston WV, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you require.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering cosmetology skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty academy offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s imperative that he or she receives support in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid develope relationships with Charleston WV businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an option before you learn what financial help may be provided.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Charleston WV?

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

Charleston, West Virginia

Charleston is the most populous city in, and the capital of, the U.S. state of West Virginia. Located at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha rivers, the population during the 2016 Census Estimate was 49,138. The Charleston metropolitan area as a whole had 217,916 residents. Charleston is the center of government, commerce, and industry for Kanawha County, of which it is the county seat.[6]

Early industries important to Charleston included salt and the first natural gas well.[7] Later, coal became central to economic prosperity in the city and the surrounding area. Today, trade, utilities, government, medicine, and education play central roles in the city's economy.

Charleston is the home of the West Virginia Power minor league baseball team, the West Virginia Wild minor league basketball team, and the annual 15-mile (24 km) Charleston Distance Run. Yeager Airport and the University of Charleston are also in the city. West Virginia University, Marshall University, and West Virginia State University also have campuses in the area.

Find the Right Cosmetology Program near Charleston WV

Charleston WV barber blow drying client's hair Locating and enrolling in the ideal beauty program is imperative to get the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to organize all of the information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are qualified to begin your career as a professional cosmetologist in Charleston WV.