How to Find the Right Cosmetology College near Cascade Virginia
Now that you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Cascade VA, the process begins to search for and enroll in the best school. It’s imperative that the program you pick not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be a little bit confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a little bit further about that in the upcoming segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Cascade residence. Tuition will additionally be an important consideration when reviewing potential schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not automatically the right option. There are various other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a 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 body look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic can be anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states mandate that you undergo some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Cascade VA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gotten experience and a client base, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go 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 previously mentioned, in most states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption. Only those offering 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 become licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Degrees and Certificates
There are basically two pathways offered to obtain cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs typically require 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 each of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you prefer to focus on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also likely feature management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Cascade VA business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you go with, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s certified by the Virginia Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you decide on in the next segment.
Online Beauty Schools
Online beauty schools are accommodating for Cascade VA students who are employed full-time and have family responsibilities that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of online beauty school programs offered that can be attended via a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are often fast paced since many courses are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a considerable amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you are not devoting many hours outside of your home or commuting back and forth from classes. However, it’s imperative that the program you choose can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors in order that you also obtain the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to obtain the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Beauty Trade Schools
Below is a list of questions that you need to research for any beauty training program you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Cascade VA home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make certain 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in 24069 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Cascade VA businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every cosmetologist school that you are seriously evaluating 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 businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Cascade VA salon owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. Finally, consult the 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? Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your objective is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to launch a hair salon in Cascade VA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities demands plenty 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 campus that enable students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty academy furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best option for acquiring your skills. So look for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a cosmetology program, it’s crucial that he or she receives help in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with Cascade VA businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which salons and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Many beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an option until you learn what financial help may be available.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Cascade VA?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Cascade VA area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Cascades, Virginia
Cascades is a census-designated place (CDP) in Loudoun County, Virginia. The population as of the 2010 United States Census was 11,912.[1] Along with nearby Countryside and Lowes Island, it is considered one of the three main components of the Potomac Falls community (ZIP code 20165) within Sterling, Virginia.
Cascades is a planned community of 2,500 acres with approximately 6,500 homes. The corresponding homeowners association was incorporated on 8 November 1990.[2][3] Like nearby Sterling Park, prior to the establishment of the Cascades community in 1990 the area was made up of a few very large farms. The homeowners association maintains five community centers, five swimming pools, 15 tennis courts, and other amenities including extensive paved walking trails. The Lowes Island at Cascades community (commonly referred to as Lowes Island) is an advertised portion of the legal subdivision of Cascades, but is not a legal subdivision itself. The Lowes Island community is centered on Trump National Golf Club (Washington, DC), formerly Lowes Island Country Club.[4] Cascades is bordered on the north by the Potomack Lake Sportsplex[5] and Algonkian Regional Park (which abuts the Potomac River); the name Cascades alludes to the rapidly descending flow along the Potomac River in this area.
The commercial core of Cascades is Cascades Marketplace,[6] a 318,000 square foot retail center[7] adjacent to the Cascades Public Library[8] and very near the Loudoun campus of Northern Virginia Community College.[9] Great Falls Plaza is a second, smaller retail center located just outside Lowes Island.[10] Area public schools include Potomac Falls High School, River Bend Middle School, Potowmack Elementary School, Horizon Elementary School, and Lowes Island Elementary School.[11] The Cascades area encompasses the gated campus of the Falcons Landing retirement community for retired U.S. military officers.[12] Cascades is served by Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, the Sterling Volunteer Fire Department, and the Potomac Falls post office.[13]
Pick the Right Beauty College near Cascade VA
Finding and enrolling in the ideal cosmetologist college is important to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Don’t forget to organize all of the responses you get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to begin your career as a professional cosmetologist in Cascade VA.
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