How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Covington VA

How to Enroll In an Esthetician College near Covington Virginia

Covington VA esthetician client with cucumber facial Once you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Covington VA, the task starts to find and enroll in the right program. It’s important that the school you choose not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be somewhat confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll talk a bit more about that in the upcoming segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Covington residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical consideration when reviewing possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not automatically the best option. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are available.

Definition of Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Covington VA Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states mandate that you go through some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Covington VA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gotten experience and a client base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many names and work in a wide variety of specialties including:

Estheticians
Hairdressers
Hairstylists
Beauticians
Barbers
Manicurists
Nail Technicians
Makeup Artists
Hair Coloring Specialists
Electrolysis Technicians

As already stated, in the majority of states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Esthetics Degrees

Covington VA esthetician client with face mask There are primarily two pathways available to get esthetician 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 usually require 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree commonly takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you want to specialize in just one area, for example esthetics. A degree program will also probably incorporate management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Covington VA business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you go with, it’s essential to make certain that it’s approved by the Virginia Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you decide on in the upcoming segment.

Online Esthetics Schools

woman attending esthetician school online in Covington VA Online esthetician classes are advantageous for Covington VA students who are working full-time and have family obligations that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous online beauty school programs available that can be attended through a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty programs are frequently fast paced due to the fact that many programs are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not devoting many hours away from your home or travelling to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s vital that the program you choose can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors to ensure that you also obtain the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to obtain the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Esthetics Training Programs

Covington VA models benefit from esthetic treatments Below is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any esthetician training school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Covington home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will most likely be your primary 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 reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the School Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the esthetician college you choose 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 obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in 24426 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Covington VA businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every esthetician institute that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Covington VA salon owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And finally, 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? Some esthetician schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering 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 pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your objective is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to launch a Covington VA beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you need.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting esthetician skills and techniques requires lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty school provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for other schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from an esthetician school, it’s imperative that she or he gets aid in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with Covington VA employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which salons and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available? The majority of esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may get approved 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 satisfies each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an alternative before you learn what financial assistance may be available.

Attending Esthetician School Near Covington VA?

Perhaps you live in the Covington Virginia area, or have found a school that you will commute to or even relocate to attend. Either way, following is some interesting background information about the location of your new esthetician program.

Covington, Virginia

Covington is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 5,961,[3] making it the third-least populous city in Virginia. It is surrounded by Alleghany County, of which it is also the county seat.[4] Located at the confluence of Jackson River and Dunlap Creek, Covington is one of three cities (with Roanoke and Salem) in the Roanoke Regional Partnership.[5] The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Covington with Alleghany county for statistical purposes.

The city has a council–manager government. The current mayor of Covington is Thomas H. Sibold Jr.[6] The local newspaper is The Virginian Review, which has been continuously published since August 10, 1914. Covington is served by two radio stations. WKEY simulcasts on 103.5 FM and 1340 AM, and WJVR broadcasts on 101.9 FM with simulcast on 1230 AM in nearby Clifton Forge.[7]

Fire protection is provided by the Covington Fire Department, which was chartered on March 4, 1902.[8] The Covington Rescue Squad provides emergency medical services to the city of Covington. Both the fire department and rescue squad are volunteer organizations. The rescue squad was organized in 1933 and is the third oldest volunteer rescue squad in Virginia.

Pick the Right Esthetician College near Covington VA

Choosing and enrolling in the ideal esthetician college is essential to receive the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Make 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 information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you decide on 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 selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional esthetician in Covington VA.