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Esthetics Degrees and Certificates
There are essentially two pathways available to receive esthetician training and a credential after 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 available if you prefer to concentrate on just one area, such as esthetics. A degree program will also likely include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other West Virginia business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you go with, it's important to make sure that it's certified by the West Virginia Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you decide on in the following segment.
Online Esthetician Programs
Online esthetician programs are convenient for West Virginia students who are employed full-time and have family commitments that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are many online cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed through a personal computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More conventional cosmetology programs are often fast paced since many programs are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are covering the same volume of material, but you're not devoting many hours outside of your home or driving back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it's imperative that the training program you select can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it's difficult to obtain the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.