Barber Shop Schools Aldie VA

How to Choose the Right Cosmetology Program near Aldie Virginia

Aldie VA wedding makeup artist with client Since you have decided to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Aldie VA, the task starts to search for and enroll in the best school. It’s imperative that the program you choose not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may be rather puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll speak a bit further regarding that in the following segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Aldie home. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when reviewing possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not necessarily the ideal option. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are available.

Definition of Cosmetology

Aldie VA hair stylist cutting hair Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human anatomy look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So naturally 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 term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic may 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 type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Aldie VA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a clientele, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many professional names and are employed in a wide variety of specialties including:

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

As earlier mentioned, in the majority of states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those offering more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Degrees

nail techs training at Aldie VA beauty school There are primarily two options available to get cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs normally call for 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 instructed in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer 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 so that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Aldie VA business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you opt for, it’s important to make certain that it’s certified by the Virginia Board of Cosmetology. Many states only approve schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the next section.

Online Cosmetology Classes

student attending online beauty school in Aldie VA Online cosmetology classes are convenient for Aldie VA students who are working full-time and have family obligations that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based beauty school programs available that can be attended through a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are frequently fast paced since 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 covering 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 essential that the training program you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors in order that you also obtain the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills required to work in any facet 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.

Questions to Ask Cosmetology Training Courses

Questions to ask Aldie VA cosmetology schools Below is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any beauty training program you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Aldie VA residence, together with 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 reduced 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. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the cosmetology college you pick 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 measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in 20105 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Aldie VA businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any cosmetology institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Aldie VA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And last, contact the Virginia school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive 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 often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you choose a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your objective is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to start a hair salon in Aldie VA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach 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 Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty program provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. So look for other schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s imperative that she or he receives support in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help develope relationships with Aldie VA businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of beauty schools provide 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 learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an alternative before you learn what financial assistance may be offered.

Considering Cosmetology Schools in Aldie VA?

If you are considering attending Beauty School in Aldie VA or in a nearby area, following is some interesting and useful information regarding the location of your new school campus.

Aldie, Virginia

Aldie is an unincorporated community located between Chantilly and Middleburg in Loudoun County, Virginia. Aldie's historic heart is the Village of Aldie that is located on the John Mosby Highway (U.S. Route 50) in a gap between the Catoctin Mountains and Bull Run Mountains, through which the Little River flows. Aldie traditionally serves as the gateway to Loudoun Valley and beyond.

As of 2014, the Aldie postal area (ZIP Code 20105) had a population of 11,420 people, a 569% increase since 2000[1] making it one of the fastest growing suburbs in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and the second fastest growing zip code in Virginia. As a result, the eastern part is suburbanized with numerous upscale communities recently built or under construction while most of the Aldie Hills adjacent to the historic Village of Aldie have so far largely preserved their bucolic character.

Aldie's beginnings were laid in 1765 when James Mercer and George Mercer established a mill at the location of the present historic edifice. The location was a natural choice, as the gap contained the intersection of the Belhaven road between Winchester and Alexandria and the Mountain road which ran northwest to Snickers Gap. By 1809 the Little River Turnpike was completed from Alexandria to the Mercer Mill, replacing the older rutted section of Belhaven Road. With the opening of the road, James Mercer's son, Charles Fenton Mercer, in a partnership with William Cooke, set out to develop a village on 30 acres (120,000 m2) at the turnpike's western terminus. Mercer named the village for Castle Aldie, his Scottish clan's ancestral home.

Aldie VA barber trimming hair Finding and enrolling in the ideal cosmetology school is important to receive the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. You originally came to this website because you have an interest in learning more about Barber Shop Schools. So be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Be sure 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 sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional cosmetologist in Aldie VA.