Online Barber Schools Oakton VA

How to Find the Right Cosmetologist Training Program near Oakton Virginia

Oakton VA wedding makeup artist with client Since you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Oakton VA, the process begins to find and enroll in the right school. It’s essential that the program you choose not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be a little bit confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a bit more about that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Oakton residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical factor when evaluating possible schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not always the ideal choice. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding 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 kinds of courses are offered.

What is Cosmetology

Oakton VA hair stylist cutting hair Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more attractive with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be almost anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states require that you go through some kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Oakton VA 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, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own residences or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many names and work in a wide range 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 practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exception. Only those conducting 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 become licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Degrees

nail techs training at Oakton VA beauty school There are basically two pathways available to receive 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 generally take 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 instructed in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you want to specialize in just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also probably include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Oakton VA business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you decide on, it’s important to make sure that it’s approved by the Virginia Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only approve schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the next section.

Online Cosmetology Courses

student attending online beauty school in Oakton VA Online cosmetology programs are accommodating for Oakton VA students who are employed full time and have family obligations that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous online beauty school programs offered that can be attended via a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are frequently fast paced given that many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you’re not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or commuting to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s essential that the school you pick can provide internship training in area salons and parlors in order 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 profession. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Beauty Schools

Questions to ask Oakton VA cosmetology schools Below is a series of questions that you should look into for any beauty training program you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Oakton VA home, as well as the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn 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 should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the cosmetology training program 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 ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in 22124 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Oakton VA businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any beauty school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Oakton VA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And last, contact the Virginia school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? Many cosmetology 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 typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you pick a school that specializes in 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 well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to open a hair salon in Oakton VA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you require.

Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting cosmetology techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. So search for other schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a beauty program, it’s imperative that she or he gets support in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help develope relationships with Oakton VA employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Many beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. 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 offered to students as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an alternative before you find out what financial aid may be provided.

Considering Cosmetology Schools in Oakton VA?

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

Oakton, Virginia

Oakton is a census-designated place (CDP) in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. The population was 34,166 at the 2010 census.[3] Oakton is an affluent community of Northern Virginia. Its center is 16 miles (26 km) west of Washington, D.C.

Oakton is located in central Fairfax County at 38°52′59″N 77°17′24″W / 38.88306°N 77.29000°W / 38.88306; -77.29000 (38.883050, −77.289900).[4] The area is traversed by Interstate 66 and Virginia State Route 123.

The CDP is bordered to the south by the city of Fairfax, to the west by Fair Oaks, to the northwest by Difficult Run, to the north by the Wolf Trap CDP, to the east by the town of Vienna, and to the southeast by Merrifield.

Oakton VA barber trimming hair Finding and enrolling in the right beauty college is important to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. You originally came to this website because you have an interest in learning more about Online Barber Schools. So make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to organize all of the responses you get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the academy and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional cosmetologist in Oakton VA.