How to Find the Right Cosmetology College near Kanawha Falls West Virginia
Now that you have decided to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Kanawha Falls WV, the process starts to search for and enroll in the best school. It’s imperative that the program you choose not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be somewhat confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a little bit more concerning that in the following section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Kanawha Falls residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical factor when reviewing prospective schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not automatically the right choice. There are several other factors 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 talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are available.
Defining Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful with the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states mandate that you take some kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Kanawha Falls WV beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a client base, launch 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 specializations including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As formerly mentioned, in the majority of states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those performing more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Degrees and Certificates
There are essentially two pathways available to obtain 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 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 trained in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you wish to specialize in just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Kanawha Falls 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 training program you choose, it’s essential to make sure that it’s certified by the West Virginia Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the following segment.
Online Cosmetology Training
Online beauty classes are advantageous for Kanawha Falls WV students who are employed full-time and have family commitments that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many web-based beauty school programs offered that can be accessed by means of a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are typically fast paced given that many courses are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a substantial portion 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 driving to and from classes. On the other hand, 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 necessary for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to obtain the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is available in your area.
What to Ask Cosmetologist Schools
Following is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any beauty training program you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Kanawha Falls WV residence, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have put together several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the cosmetology training program 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in 25115 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Kanawha Falls WV businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every beauty college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Kanawha Falls WV salon owners or managers, or someone working in the business, 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 finally, check with the West Virginia school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you choose 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 dream is to launch a hair salon in Kanawha Falls WV, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting cosmetology techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty school offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So try to find other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a cosmetology academy, it’s essential that she or he gets support in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with Kanawha Falls WV businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which salons and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 available to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an option until you determine what financial help may be provided.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Kanawha Falls WV?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Kanawha Falls WV area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Kanawha Falls, West Virginia
Kanawha Falls is an unincorporated community in Fayette County, West Virginia, United States. Kanawha Falls is located on the east bank of the Kanawha River 2 miles (3.2 km) southwest of Gauley Bridge. Kanawha Falls had a post office, which opened on March 26, 1856, and closed on November 2, 2002.[3]
Choose the Right Cosmetology Training Program near Kanawha Falls WV
Choosing and enrolling in the right cosmetologist school is essential to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Don’t forget to organize all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the academy and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Kanawha Falls WV.
Other Beautiful Locations in West Virginia
Business Results 1 - 10 of 0
