How to Find the Right Cosmetology School near Montvale Virginia
Once you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Montvale VA, the process starts to locate and enroll in the best school. It’s imperative that the school you pick not only furnishes the necessary instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be a little bit puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a bit more regarding that in the next segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Montvale home. Tuition will also be an important consideration when reviewing possible schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not automatically the best choice. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are available.
Definition of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states require that you take some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Montvale VA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles 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 already mentioned, in the majority of states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption. Only those performing more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Degrees
There are basically two avenues offered to obtain cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs generally require 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 all of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you prefer to focus on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely feature management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Montvale VA business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you opt for, it’s essential to make sure that it’s approved by the Virginia Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the following section.
Online Beauty Classes
Online beauty programs are convenient for Montvale VA students who are employed full time and have family obligations that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of online beauty school programs available that can be accessed via a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty programs are often fast paced since 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 programs, you are covering the same volume of material, but you’re not spending many hours outside of your home or driving to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s important that the school you select can provide internship training in local salons and parlors in order that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to obtain the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
What to Ask Beauty Trade Schools
Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any beauty training school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Montvale VA home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional 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 decision.
Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the cosmetology college you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in 24122 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Montvale VA businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every beauty college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Montvale VA salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And last, contact the Virginia school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you decide on a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your intention 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 start a hair salon in Montvale VA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities involves 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 site that allow students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a cosmetology academy, it’s essential that she or he receives assistance in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with Montvale VA businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an alternative before you determine what financial aid may be available.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Montvale VA?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Montvale VA area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Buford's Gap
Buford's Gap is a wind gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Bedford County, Virginia. Buford's Gap was the original crossing of the Blue Ridge Mountains for the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, later the Norfolk and Western Railway, a precursor of today's Norfolk Southern Railway system. It was the site of a battle in 1864 during the American Civil War. U.S. Route 460 also passes through the gap.
In pre-history, the Cherokee had a seat on the Peaks of the Otter nearby. A main trail went through Buford's Gap and Villamont, Virginia, roughly along the present highway to Roanoke, Virginia. Relics have been unearthed in the Goose Creek Valley, and tomahawk heads and stone arrowheads were found east of the village. The tribes may have traveled through Buford's Gap and on to either Tennessee or North Carolina along the Carolina Road and the Great Indian Warpath.[1]
Paschal Buford (February 14, 1791- 1875) was the son of Henry Buford, who along with his three brothers, Thomas, James and William, first came to Bedford County about 1754. Paschal traded in real estate, farming, donated land for several churches, operated some mills and had the contract to carry mail to Botetourt County, Virginia. Married in 1820, in 1822 he built the brick mansion Locust Level.[3]
Select the Right Cosmetology Training Program near Montvale VA
Choosing and enrolling in the right beauty college is imperative to get the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, 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 choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to start your career as a professional cosmetologist in Montvale VA.
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