How to Choose a Beauty School near Stephenson West Virginia
Once you have decided to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Stephenson WV, the task starts to find and enroll in the right school. It’s important that the program you choose not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be somewhat puzzled 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 type of school. We’ll discuss a bit more regarding that in the following segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Stephenson residence. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when assessing possible schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not automatically the right choice. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as 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 bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are available.
Definition of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful with the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states require that you take some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Stephenson 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, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing customers either in their own residences or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many names and work in a wide range of specializations including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As previously stated, in most states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption. Only those conducting more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Certificates and Degrees
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 call for 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 each of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you want to specialize in just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also probably include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Stephenson WV business. Higher degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you choose, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s recognized by the West Virginia Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only approve schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the next section.
Online Cosmetology Courses
Online cosmetology programs are advantageous for Stephenson WV students who are employed full time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be attended through a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty programs are frequently fast paced given that many programs are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not spending many hours outside of your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it’s vital that the program you pick can provide internship training in area salons and parlors in order that you also obtain the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is available in your area.
What to Ask Cosmetologist Programs
Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any beauty training program you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Stephenson WV home, in addition to the price of tuition, will probably be your initial 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 need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make certain that the cosmetology college you select 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in 25928 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Stephenson WV businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any cosmetology college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Stephenson WV salon owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. Finally, 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 Specialty? 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, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your goal 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 open a hair salon in Stephenson WV, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing 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. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty academy provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So look for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a beauty school, it’s crucial that he or she gets assistance in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with Stephenson WV businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which salons and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? The majority of beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may get approved 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 satisfies each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative before you find out what financial assistance may be available.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Stephenson WV?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Stephenson WV area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Stephenson, West Virginia
Stephenson is an unincorporated community in Wyoming County, West Virginia, United States. Part of the community was known as Devils Fork, West Virginia until 1935.[1] The community was named after W. G. Stephenson, a mining official.[2]
Enroll in the Right Beauty Vocational School near Stephenson WV
Finding and enrolling in the right cosmetology program is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to begin your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Stephenson WV.
Other Beautiful Locations in West Virginia
Business Results 1 - 10 of 0
