How to Enroll In a Cosmetology College near Follansbee West Virginia
Since you have decided to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Follansbee WV, the process begins to search for and enroll in the best school. It’s important that the program you select not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be somewhat puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a little bit further regarding that in the upcoming segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Follansbee home. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when reviewing possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not automatically the right choice. There are many other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are available.
What is Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human anatomy look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you go through some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Follansbee WV beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles and work in a wide range of specialties including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As formerly stated, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Degrees and Certificates
There are basically two options available to receive cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually take 12 to 18 months to complete, 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 offered if you wish to specialize in just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also probably include management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Follansbee WV business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you decide on, it’s essential to make sure that it’s certified by the West Virginia Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the upcoming segment.
Online Beauty Training
Online cosmetology classes are accommodating for Follansbee WV students who are working full time and have family commitments that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed via a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are typically fast paced since many courses are as short as six or eight months. This means that a significant portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same amount of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours away from your home or travelling to and from classes. However, it’s imperative that the program you pick can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to obtain the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. 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 Cosmetologist Trade Schools
Below is a list of questions that you need to look into for any beauty training program you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Follansbee WV home, together with the price of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make certain that the cosmetology training program you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged 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 guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in 26037 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Follansbee WV employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each beauty institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Follansbee WV salon owners or managers, or any person 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 thought of. And finally, contact 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? Many beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your goal is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to open a hair salon in Follansbee WV, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting cosmetology techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty academy furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a beauty school, it’s imperative that he or she receives support in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help develope relationships with Follansbee WV employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which salons and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Most beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn 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 as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you determine what financial assistance may be provided.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Follansbee WV?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Follansbee WV area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Follansbee, West Virginia
Follansbee is a city in Brooke County, West Virginia, United States, located along the Ohio River. It is part of the Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,986 at the 2010 census.
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 2,986 people, 1,302 households, and 842 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,622.8 inhabitants per square mile (626.6/km2). There were 1,432 housing units at an average density of 778.3 per square mile (300.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.6% White, 0.3% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.7% of the population.
There were 1,302 households of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.1% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.3% were non-families. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.85.
Enroll in the Right Cosmetology Program near Follansbee WV
Picking and enrolling in the ideal beauty school is imperative to receive the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the responses you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Follansbee WV.
Other Beautiful Locations in West Virginia
Business Results 1 - 10 of 2
9 Reviews 
5 Reviews 