Esthetician Cosmetology Course
How to Pick the Right One Near Phenix City Alabama

Now that you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Phenix City AL, the task starts to search for and enroll in the right program. Since estheticians are required to be licensed in all states, the college you select should prep you to pass the licensing test as well as provide the necessary training for your specialty. You may be somewhat confused when beginning your search for esthetician programs as to the difference between cosmetology and beauty schools, since both offer esthetician training. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. You will need to find a school that is within reasonable commuting distance of your residence unless you are willing to relocate for training. An additional consideration when examining prospective esthetician schools is the cost of tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Reputation and accreditation, as examples are among the other qualifications that you need to evaluate when weighing your school options. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what kinds of training programs are offered.

It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Esthetician Career Below!

Esthetics Certificates and Degrees

There are basically two avenues offered to get esthetician training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can work toward an Associate's degree. Certificate programs usually call for 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 all of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you prefer to specialize in just one area, such as esthetics. A degree program will also probably include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Phenix City AL business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you go with, it's essential to make sure that it's recognized by the Alabama Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the next segment.

What to Ask Esthetics Training Classes

Following is a series of questions that you should investigate for any esthetician training program you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Phenix City residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Esthetician School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the esthetician training program you select 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Phenix City AL employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Any esthetician college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Phenix City AL salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the Alabama school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  A number of esthetician schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your ambition is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to launch a Phenix City AL beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Studying and perfecting esthetician skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. So look for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician program, it's crucial that he or she receives assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with Phenix City AL employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which salons and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  Almost all esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an option before you determine what financial assistance may be offered.

Find Out More on Becoming an Esthetician in Phenix City

Choose the Right Phenix City Esthetician Program

Finding and enrolling in the ideal esthetician college near Phenix City AL is essential to get the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to collect all of the responses you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the academy and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional esthetician.

 

Phenix City Aesthetician Schools Near Me | Phenix City Esthetician Schools Near Me