How to Enroll In a Beauty College near Pentress West Virginia

Once you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Pentress WV, the task starts to search for and enroll in the best school. It’s imperative that the program you select not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be rather unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a bit more about that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Pentress residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical aspect when assessing potential schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not necessarily the best option. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are offered.

Definition of Cosmetology

Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human anatomy look more beautiful with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be almost anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you undergo some kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Pentress WV beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gotten experience and a clientele, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing customers either in their own residences or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many names and work in a wide variety of specializations including:

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

As formerly stated, in most states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those offering more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees

There are essentially two avenues available to receive cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs typically 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 main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you prefer to focus on just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely feature management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Pentress WV business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you go with, it’s important to make sure that it’s certified by the West Virginia Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the following section.

Online Beauty Programs

Online cosmetology programs are accommodating for Pentress WV students who are employed full-time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are many web-based beauty school programs offered that can be accessed via a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty schools are often fast paced given that many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a substantial amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not devoting many hours outside of your home or commuting back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s important that the program you select can provide internship training in area salons and parlors in order that you also get the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

What to Ask Cosmetology Training Courses

Following is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any beauty training program you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Pentress WV home, in addition to the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the cosmetology training program you select 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 26544 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Pentress WV businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Any cosmetologist 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, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Pentress WV salon owners or managers, or someone working in the field, 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 looked into. And last, check with the West Virginia school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your objective is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to open a hair salon in Pentress WV, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you require.

Is Plenty of Live Training Provided?  Practicing and refining cosmetology skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. So try to find other schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  When a student graduates from a cosmetology academy, it’s imperative that she or he gets assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develope relationships with Pentress WV employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which salons and establishments they refer students to. Also, 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 Assistance 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 office. Speak with a counselor and find out 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 available to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an option before you find out what financial assistance may be available.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Pentress WV?

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

Select the Right Cosmetologist Program near Pentress WV

Finding and enrolling in the ideal cosmetology college is essential to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Pentress WV.

Other Beautiful Locations in West Virginia

Business Results 1 - 10 of 1

Loughner Massage & Lash Boutique

5 Reviews

Massage, Eyelash Service, Skin Care

Phone:

2545 Mosside Blvd, Monroeville, PA 15146