Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Middleburg VA

How to Find the Right Beauty College near Middleburg Virginia

nail technicians training at Middleburg VA beauty school Now that you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Middleburg VA, the task starts to locate and enroll in the right school. It’s important that the school you choose not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be a little bit puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a bit more about that in the upcoming segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Middleburg home. Tuition will additionally be an important consideration when reviewing possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not automatically the right option. There are various other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are offered.

Definition of Cosmetology

Middleburg VA makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human anatomy look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be almost anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states require that you go through some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Middleburg VA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles 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 earlier mentioned, in most states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees and Certificates

Middleburg VA hairdresser cutting hair There are essentially two pathways offered to receive cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs generally call for 12 to 18 months to complete, 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 available if you prefer to specialize in just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Middleburg VA business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you choose, it’s important to make certain that it’s approved by the Virginia Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only approve schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the next segment.

Online Cosmetology Courses

student attending cosmetology school online in Middleburg VA Online cosmetology classes are accommodating for Middleburg VA students who are working full time and have family responsibilities that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be accessed through a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty programs are typically fast paced since many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a large portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you’re not spending numerous hours away from your home or driving back and forth from classes. However, it’s important that the program you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to acquire the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Cosmetology Training Programs

Questions to ask Middleburg VA beauty schools Below is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any beauty training school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Middleburg VA home, as well as the cost of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the School Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the cosmetology school 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 comply with their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in 20117 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Middleburg VA businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every beauty school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Middleburg VA salon owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. Finally, contact the Virginia school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? Many 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, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative 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 well regarded for that program. If your desire is to open a hair salon in Middleburg VA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting cosmetology techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty program provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a beauty program, it’s essential that she or he receives help in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with Middleburg VA employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which salons and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask 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 Available? Many beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an option before you find out what financial assistance may be provided.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Middleburg VA?

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

Middleburg, Virginia

The town was established in 1787 by American Revolutionary War Lieutenant Colonel and Virginia statesman, Leven Powell. He purchased the land for Middleburg at $2.50 per acre in 1763 from Joseph Chinn, a first cousin of George Washington. It had been called "Chinn's Crossroads", and was then called Powell Town. When Leven Powell declined to have the town named after him, the town was called Middleburgh, and later, simply Middleburg. The village is located midway between the port of Alexandria[3] and Winchester, Virginia, on the Ashby Gap trading route (now followed by U.S. Route 50).

From the early 1900s, Middleburg began welcoming visitors who participated in foxhunting and steeplechasing. The village soon earned a reputation as the "Nation's Horse and Hunt Capital", attracting prominent visitors from across the U.S. Middleburg is the home of the 15,000-square-foot (1,400 m2) National Sporting Library research center for horse and field sports, which publishes Thoroughbred Heritage on the Internet. A new addition is being made to include an art gallery and museum.

The Middleburg Historic District, comprising the 19th-century center of town, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The oldest building in town, the Red Fox Inn & Tavern,[4] was originally established in 1728 by Joseph Chinn as Chinn's Ordinary and is billed as the oldest continually operated inn in the U.S. Also listed on the National Register of Historic Places are Benton, the Burrland Farm Historic District, Green Pastures, Huntland, Mill House, Gen. William Mitchell House, Much Haddam, Unison Historic District, and Welbourne.[5][6]

Find the Right Cosmetology School near Middleburg VA

Middleburg VA barber blow drying client's hair Finding and enrolling in the ideal cosmetology college is important to obtain the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to organize all of the information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the academy and program you decide on are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your career as a professional cosmetologist in Middleburg VA.