How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Millwood VA

How to Select an Esthetician School near Millwood Virginia

Millwood VA esthetician client with cucumber facial Once you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Millwood VA, the process begins to locate and enroll in the ideal program. It’s imperative that the school you pick not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be rather 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 kind of school. We’ll talk a little bit more concerning that in the upcoming segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Millwood home. Tuition will also be an important consideration when evaluating prospective schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not necessarily the ideal option. There are various other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding 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 types of courses are offered.

Definition of Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Millwood VA Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can 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 require that you go through some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Millwood VA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a client base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many professional names and work in a wide variety of specializations including:

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

As already stated, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those offering more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Esthetician Certificates and Degrees

Millwood VA esthetician client with face mask There are basically two avenues available to get esthetician training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs typically take 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 trained in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you want to concentrate on just one area, such as esthetics. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Millwood VA business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you opt for, it’s essential to make sure that it’s recognized by the Virginia Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only approve schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the following segment.

Online Esthetics Programs

woman attending esthetician school online in Millwood VA Online esthetician programs are advantageous for Millwood VA students who are employed full-time and have family obligations that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of online cosmetology school programs offered that can be accessed by means of a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are frequently fast paced because many courses are as short as six or eight months. This means that a substantial amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you’re not devoting many hours away from your home or driving back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s vital that the training 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 complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Esthetics Training Classes

Millwood VA models benefit from esthetic treatments Below is a series of questions that you need to look into for any esthetician training school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Millwood residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to earn 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 need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the esthetician training program you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in 22646 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Millwood VA businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every esthetician college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Millwood VA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And finally, check with the Virginia school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? A number of esthetician schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you pick a school that specializes in 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 desire is to start a Millwood VA beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering esthetician techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a beauty program furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore search for other schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from an esthetician program, it’s essential that he or she receives support in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with Millwood VA employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Almost all esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an option until you learn what financial help may be offered.

Attending Esthetician School Near Millwood VA?

Perhaps you live in the Millwood 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.

Millwood, Virginia

Millwood is an unincorporated community located in Clarke County, Virginia. Millwood is the home of many of Clarke County's most historic sites including the Burwell-Morgan Mill (1785), Carter Hall (1792), the Greenway Historic District, Long Branch (1811), Old Chapel (1790), and the River House. Project HOPE is based at Carter Hall.

Enroll in the Right Esthetics Program near Millwood VA

Finding and enrolling in the right esthetician college is important to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Don’t forget to consolidate all of the information you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional esthetician in Millwood VA.