Online Cosmetology School Parkersburg WV

How to Select the Best Cosmetology Course near Parkersburg West Virginia

Parkersburg WV beauty salonNow that you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Parkersburg WV, the task starts to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It’s important that the school you choose not only provides the appropriate education for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be somewhat unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We’ll speak a bit more regarding that in the upcoming section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Parkersburg home. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when reviewing potential schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not automatically the ideal option. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are offered.

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What is Cosmetology

Parkersburg WV makeup school studentCosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human anatomy look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic can be anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of 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 Parkersburg 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, launch 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 professional names and work in a wide variety of specialties 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 certain states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for example 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.

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Cosmetology Certificates and Degrees

Parkersburg WV hair design student cutting hairThere are essentially two options available to receive 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 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 major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you want to specialize in just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Parkersburg WV business. Higher degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you opt for, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s certified by the West Virginia Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the following section.

Online Cosmetologist Programs

Parkersburg WV student attending online beauty schoolOnline beauty schools are advantageous for Parkersburg WV students who are working full-time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed through a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are typically fast paced because many programs are as short as six or eight months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours away from your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it’s vital that the training program you choose can provide internship training in local salons and parlors in order that you also receive the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to gain the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetology Training Programs

Questions to ask Parkersburg WV cosmetology schoolsFollowing is a list of questions that you should investigate for any beauty training school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Parkersburg WV residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary 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 decision.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make certain that the cosmetology college you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in 26101 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Parkersburg WV employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Each cosmetologist college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Parkersburg WV salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. Finally, consult the West Virginia school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas 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 select a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your ambition 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 aspiration is to open a hair salon in Parkersburg WV, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided?  Learning and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty school provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So search for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  As soon as a student graduates from a beauty program, it’s crucial that she or he receives assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develope relationships with Parkersburg WV businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which salons and organizations they refer students to. In addition, 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 Offered?  Almost all cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative before you determine what financial assistance may be available.

Online Cosmetology School Parkersburg West Virginia

Parkersburg WV nail tech students in trainingLocating and enrolling in the right beauty school is imperative to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. You originally came to this website because you have an interest in Online Cosmetology School and learning more about the topic Beauty Education. So be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Don’t forget to compile all of the responses you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Parkersburg WV.

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    Parkersburg, West Virginia

    Parkersburg is a city in and the county seat of Wood County, West Virginia, United States.[5] Located at the confluence of the Ohio and Little Kanawha rivers, it is the state's third-largest city and the largest city in the Parkersburg-Marietta-Vienna metropolitan area. The population was 31,492 at the 2010 census. Its peak population was 44,797 in 1960. The city is about 14 miles south of Marietta, Ohio.

    The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad reached Parkersburg in 1857, but lacked a crossing over the Ohio River until after the American Civil War. When the B&O completed the Parkersburg Bridge (CSX) 1868–1870 to Belpre, it was the longest railroad bridge in the world.

    The Bureau of the Public Debt, an agency of the U.S. Treasury Department, was relocated from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area in the late 20th century and headquartered in Parkersburg. In October 2012, it was merged with the Financial Management Service to form the Bureau of the Fiscal Service.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 41

    Mountain State Oral & Facial Surgery
    1 Reviews
    Oral Surgeons, Cosmetic Dentists, Medical Spas
    Phone:
    417 Grand Park Dr, Ste 103, Parkersburg, WV 26105

    Rage A Hair Co
    5 Reviews
    Hair Salons
    Phone:
    224 Grand Central Mall, Vienna, WV 26105

    Rocks Place Salon
    1 Reviews
    Hair Salons
    Phone:
    2822 22nd St, Parkersburg, WV 26101

    Body Elements
    1 Reviews
    Tanning Beds, Massage Therapy, Cosmetics & Beauty Supply
    Phone:
    2100 Camden Ave, Ste 2, Parkersburg, WV 26101

    Patti John's Day Spa
    1 Reviews
    Skin Care, Hair Salons, Day Spas
    Phone:
    2200 Grand Central Ave, Ste 107, Vienna, WV 26105

    Lee's Studio
    1 Reviews
    Skin Care, Day Spas
    Phone:
    3113 Murdoch Ave, Parkersburg, WV 26101

    Marchell's Barber Shop
    16 Reviews
    Barbers
    Phone:
    1724 20th St, Parkersburg, WV 26101

    L-Salon & Spa on West
    1 Reviews
    Hair Salons, Waxing, Threading Services
    Phone:
    520 Virginia St, Marietta, OH 45750

    Headlines Day Spa
    1 Reviews
    Day Spas
    Phone:
    1023 7th St, Parkersburg, WV 26101

    Bodylogic
    3 Reviews
    Day Spas, Massage, Acupuncture
    Phone:
    1515 Grand Central Ave, Garden Level, Ste 8, Vienna, WV 26105