How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Montgomery WV

How to Select an Esthetician School near Montgomery West Virginia

Montgomery WV esthetician client with cucumber facialNow that you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Montgomery WV, the process begins to locate and enroll in the right program. It’s imperative that the school you select not only provides the proper training for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be somewhat confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll talk a bit more concerning that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Montgomery home. Tuition will additionally be a critical factor when evaluating potential schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not necessarily the right option. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of training programs are available.

What is Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Montgomery WVCosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human anatomy look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically 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 take some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Montgomery WV beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gotten experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients 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 range of specialties including:

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

As already mentioned, in the majority of states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those offering more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Esthetics Degrees and Certificates

Montgomery WV esthetician client with face maskThere are essentially two avenues offered to obtain esthetician training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually take 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 trained in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you wish to focus on just one area, for example esthetics. A degree program will also likely include management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Montgomery WV business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training 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 recognize schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the following section.

Online Esthetician Classes

woman attending esthetician school online in Montgomery WVOnline esthetician classes are accommodating for Montgomery WV students who are working full time and have family responsibilities that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are typically fast paced since many programs are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a large portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same volume of material, but you’re not spending numerous hours away from your home or commuting back and forth from classes. However, it’s essential that the training program you pick can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Esthetics Training Classes

Montgomery WV models benefit from esthetic treatmentsBelow is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any esthetician training program you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Montgomery home, together with the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn 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 need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make certain that the esthetician college you choose 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in 25136 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Montgomery WV businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Each esthetician institute that you are seriously evaluating 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 businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Montgomery WV salon owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And last, contact the West Virginia school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  A number of esthetician schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your intention 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 dream is to open a Montgomery WV beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you require.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided?  Studying and mastering esthetician skills and techniques requires lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty academy offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  Once a student graduates from an esthetician school, it’s important that she or he gets assistance in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with Montgomery WV businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools 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 verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  Most esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify 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 all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an option until you find out what financial aid may be offered.

Attending Esthetician School Near Montgomery WV?

Perhaps you live in the Montgomery West 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.

Montgomery, West Virginia

From 1876 to 1890, the town was called Coal Valley Post Office. The name then changed to Montgomery's Landing and then Coal Valley. In 1890 it was again renamed, as Cannelton. It was incorporated April 1, 1891 and the named Montgomery was settled upon, for James C. Montgomery,[6] one of the city's first settlers. The land was given to James Montgomery as a wedding present from his father-in-law, Levi Morris, who owned all the land.

Late 19th c.growth was due to the construction of the Kanawha & Michigan Railroad across the river and the connection of the Virginian Railway at nearby Deepwater. In the early 1910s Montgomery was the shipping center for 26 different coal operations and the largest town in Fayette County at the time.[7]

From 1895 until it's 2017 move to Beckley, Montgomery was the home of West Virginia University Institute of Technology, popularly called WVU Tech. The city is currently home to BridgeValley Community and Technical College – Montgomery Campus.

Find the Right Esthetics School near Montgomery WV

Finding and enrolling in the right esthetician program is essential to get the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the responses you get from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the academy and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your career as a professional esthetician in Montgomery WV.

Other Beautiful Locations in Montgomery West Virginia

  • How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Elizabeth WV
  • How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Petersburg WV
  • How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Baisden WV
  • How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Eleanor WV
  • How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Belle WV
  • How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Fayetteville WV
  • How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Franklin WV
  • How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Winfield WV
  • How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Oak Hill WV
  • How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Wayne WV
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 13

    Serendipity Spa & Salon
    3 Reviews
    Skin Care, Hair Salons, Day Spas
    Phone:
    5411 MacCorkle Ave SE, Charleston, WV 25304

    Zen Beauty by Mary Cochran
    2 Reviews
    Skin Care, Eyelash Service, Waxing
    Phone:
    1007 Bridge Rd, Charleston, WV 25314

    Massage Envy - Charleston
    6 Reviews
    Massage, Skin Care, Massage Therapy
    Phone:
    5707 Maccorkle Ave SE, Charleston, WV 25304

    Radiant Skin Therapy
    2 Reviews
    Makeup Artists, Waxing, Skin Care
    Phone:
    600 Westmoreland Park, Dunbar, WV 25064

    Imagine Medispa - Charleston
    1 Reviews
    Medical Spas, Weight Loss Centers, Skin Care
    Phone:
    6 Courtney Dr, Charleston, WV 25304

    Platinum Nails
    1 Reviews
    Nail Salons, Waxing, Skin Care
    Phone:
    273 Mall Rd, Oak Hill, WV 25901

    South Hills Salon & Spa
    2 Reviews
    Skin Care, Day Spas, Hair Salons
    Phone:
    878 Oakwood Rd, Charleston, WV 25314

    Tracie's Beauty Cottage & Day Spa
    3 Reviews
    Nail Salons, Skin Care, Day Spas
    Phone:
    506 50th St SE, Charleston, WV 25304

    Spa Bliss
    9 Reviews
    Day Spas, Massage Therapy, Hair Removal
    Phone:
    1210 Smith St, Charleston, WV 25301

    Angela's Salon
    8 Reviews
    Massage, Hair Salons, Nail Salons
    Phone:
    5403 MacCorkle Ave SE, Charleston, WV 25304