Esthetician Cosmetology Training School
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Opelika Alabama

Now that you have made the decision to become an esthetician, you must enroll in the best esthetician school near Opelika AL to get your training. It's imperative that the program you choose not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may be rather unclear 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. You will need to find a school that is within reasonable driving distance of your home unless you are willing to relocate for training. An additional qualification when examining possible esthetician schools is the price of tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what types of programs are offered.

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Esthetics Certificate and Degree Programs

There are primarily two avenues 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 usually require 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate's degree ordinarily 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 available if you want to concentrate on just one area, such as esthetics. A degree program will also probably feature management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Opelika AL 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 course you choose, it's essential to make certain that it's recognized by the Alabama Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the following segment.

Online Esthetician Schools

Online esthetician classes are accommodating for Opelika AL students who are employed full-time and have family obligations that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous online beauty school programs offered 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 courses are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you're not spending many hours outside of your home or commuting back and forth from classes. However, it's vital that the program you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors to ensure that you also get the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it's difficult to gain the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Esthetics Training Programs

Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any esthetician training school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Opelika home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will most likely be your initial 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 choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Esthetician School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the esthetician training program you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Opelika AL employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Any esthetician college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Opelika AL salon owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, 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. And last, contact the Alabama school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  A number of esthetician schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose 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 respected for that program. If your dream is to start a Opelika AL beauty salon, 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 weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you need.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Studying and mastering esthetician techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty classes you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So look for other schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  When a student graduates from an esthetician school, it's important that she or he gets help in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with Opelika AL businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  Most esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may get approved 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 fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you find out what financial aid may be provided.

Find Out More about How to Become an Esthetician in Opelika

Enroll in the Right Opelika Esthetician Course

Selecting and enrolling in the ideal esthetician college near Opelika AL is imperative to receive the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your career as a professional esthetician.

 

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