How to Pick a Cosmetologist School near Delray West Virginia
Now that you have decided to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Delray WV, the process begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It’s important that the school you pick not only furnishes the necessary instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll speak a little bit further regarding that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Delray residence. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when evaluating prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not always the best choice. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are available.
What is Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human body look more attractive through the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states require that you take some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Delray WV 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 start seeing clients either in their own residences 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:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As formerly mentioned, in most states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those performing more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Certificates and Degrees
There are basically two pathways offered to receive cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually 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 instructed in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you prefer to focus on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also likely incorporate management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Delray WV business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you opt for, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s approved by the West Virginia Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only approve schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the next section.
Online Cosmetology Courses
Online beauty schools are convenient for Delray WV students who are working full-time and have family responsibilities that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be accessed by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty programs are frequently fast paced since many programs are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you’re not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or commuting to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s essential that the training program you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
What to Ask Cosmetology Schools
Below is a series of questions that you should investigate for any beauty training program you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Delray WV home, in addition to the price of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the cosmetology school 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 assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in 26714 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Delray WV businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each cosmetology school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Delray WV 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 West Virginia school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your ambition is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to launch a hair salon in Delray WV, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Learning and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty academy offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore search for other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a cosmetology academy, it’s imperative that he or she receives assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with Delray WV employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Many beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an option until you determine what financial assistance may be available.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Delray WV?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Delray WV area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Delray, West Virginia
Delray is an unincorporated community in Hampshire County in the U.S. state of West Virginia. Delray is located in the North River Valley along Delray Road (West Virginia Route 29) between Sedan and Rio. According to the 2000 census, the Delray community has a population of 151.[2]
Delray began a small agricultural community in the late eighteenth century. Its first storekeeper, John McDonald, owned and operated a stave mill and a barrell factory near his residence.[3] The name Delray most likely is a name derived from Spanish meaning "of the king".[4]
Choose the Right Beauty Vocational School near Delray WV
Picking and enrolling in the ideal cosmetology school is imperative to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the responses you get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your career as a professional cosmetologist in Delray WV.
Other Beautiful Locations in West Virginia
Business Results 1 - 10 of 0
