Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Oakvale WV

How to Select a Cosmetology School near Oakvale West Virginia

nail technicians training at Oakvale WV beauty schoolSince you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Oakvale WV, the task starts to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It’s essential that the school you choose not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be somewhat unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a little bit further regarding that in the following segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Oakvale residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when reviewing potential schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not necessarily the ideal option. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are offered.

Definition of Cosmetology

Oakvale WV makeup ar4tist applying makeupCosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually 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 mandate that you take some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Oakvale WV beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a client base, open their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many titles 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 already stated, in most states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those offering more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Certificates and Degrees

Oakvale WV hairdresser cutting hairThere are basically two options available to receive cosmetology training and a credential after 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 usually takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you prefer to concentrate on just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also probably incorporate management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Oakvale WV business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program 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 respected agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the next segment.

Online Cosmetology Schools

student attending cosmetology school online in Oakvale WVOnline beauty classes are advantageous for Oakvale WV students who are working full time and have family obligations that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based beauty school programs offered that can be accessed via a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are often fast paced due to the fact that many programs are as short as six or eight months. This means that a large portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you’re not devoting many hours outside of your home or travelling back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s important that the program you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to obtain the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is available in your area.

What to Ask Cosmetology Training Classes

Questions to ask Oakvale WV beauty schoolsFollowing is a series of questions that you should look into for any cosmetology training program you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Oakvale WV residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want 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 need to research and take into consideration 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 determination.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s necessary to make sure that the cosmetology training program you enroll in 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 quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in 24739 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Oakvale WV employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Any beauty institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Oakvale WV salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And last, contact the West Virginia school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you pick a school that specializes in 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 respected for that program. If your desire is to launch a hair salon in Oakvale WV, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded 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 furnished in the beauty courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty academy provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So try to find other schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from a beauty school, it’s important that he or she receives aid in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with Oakvale WV employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering 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 extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  Many cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you determine what financial aid may be available.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Oakvale WV?

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

Oakvale, West Virginia

Oakvale is a town in Mercer County, West Virginia, United States, along the East River. The population was 121 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Bluefield, WV-VA micropolitan area which has a population of 107,578.

Oakvale was originally known as "Frenchville" after an early settler, Captain Napoleon French. It was renamed Oakvale after the dense stands of oak trees that grew in the valley.[6] The town incorporated in 1907.[7]

Oakvale is located at 37°19′56″N 80°58′8″W / 37.33222°N 80.96889°W / 37.33222; -80.96889 (37.332163, -80.968802).[8] The town is situated in a narrow valley along East River, a few miles west of the state line between Virginia and West Virginia. West Virginia Route 112 (Ingleside Road) traverses Oakvale, connecting the town with Bluefield to the southwest. U.S. Route 460 passes just north of the town.

Pick the Right Cosmetology Training Program near Oakvale WV

Oakvale WV barber blow drying client's hairLocating and enrolling in the ideal beauty college is imperative to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Don’t forget to consolidate all of the responses you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Oakvale WV.

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