Esthetician Cosmetology Program
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Auburn Alabama
Now that you have made the decision to begin your career in cosmetology, you must enroll in the right esthetician school near Auburn AL to get your training. Because estheticians are required to be licensed in all 50 states, the school you select should prep you to pass the licensing test and provide the proper training for your specialty. You may be somewhat confused when starting your search for esthetician classes as to the difference between beauty and cosmetology schools, which both provide esthetician training. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Auburn home. Tuition will also be an important consideration when evaluating potential schools. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Reputation and accreditation, as examples are among the other qualifications that you should look into when weighing your school options. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what types of training programs are available.
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Esthetics Degree and Certificate Programs
There are essentially two pathways available to get esthetician training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward an Associate's degree. Certificate programs typically take 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate's degree ordinarily takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in each of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you prefer to concentrate on just one area, such as esthetics. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Auburn AL 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 opt for, it's important to make sure that it's certified by the Alabama Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the next segment.
Questions to Ask Esthetics Schools
Following is a list of questions that you need to research for any esthetician training school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Auburn home, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Esthetician Program Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the esthetician school you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified 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 guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Auburn AL employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each esthetician college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements 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 regarded. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Auburn AL salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. Finally, check with the Alabama school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many esthetician schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you pick a school that focuses on 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 aspiration is to open a Auburn AL beauty salon, 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 poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and mastering esthetician techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty classes you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty academy offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So try to find alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it's important that she or he gets assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with Auburn AL businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which salons and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Most esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an alternative before you find out what financial aid may be available.
Find Out More about Becoming an Esthetician in Auburn
Choose the Right Auburn Esthetician Course
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal esthetician school near Auburn AL is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the academy and program you decide on are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your career as a professional esthetician.