Esthetician Cosmetology Training Course
How to Find the Right One Near Fairbanks Alaska

Now that you have made the decision to become an esthetician, you must enroll in the right esthetician school near Fairbanks AK to receive your training. Since estheticians are licensed in all states, the college you select should prep you to pass the licensing exam as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. You might be somewhat puzzled when beginning your search for esthetician programs as to the difference between cosmetology and beauty schools, which both offer esthetician training. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. You will want to find a campus that is within reasonable commuting distance of your home unless you can relocate for training. Another consideration when evaluating possible esthetician schools is the price of tuition. But keep in mind that just because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the best option. Accreditation and reputation, 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 regarding the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what kinds of courses are offered.

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Esthetician Certificates

There are essentially two avenues available to get esthetician training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate's degree. Certificate programs typically 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 trained in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you prefer to concentrate on just one area, for example esthetics. A degree program will also likely incorporate management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Fairbanks AK business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you opt for, it's imperative to make sure that it's approved by the Alaska Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only approve 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 decide on in the next segment.

Questions to Ask Esthetician Training Programs

Below is a list of questions that you need to research for any esthetician training school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Fairbanks residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Esthetician School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the esthetician school you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Fairbanks AK employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Each esthetician school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check 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 agencies. If you have any contacts with Fairbanks AK salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, check with the Alaska school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  A number of esthetician schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you decide on 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 well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to open a Fairbanks AK beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you require.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided?  Studying and refining esthetician skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a beauty program furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So look for alternate schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician program, it's essential that she or he gets aid in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with Fairbanks AK businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  The majority of esthetician schools provide 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 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 available to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an alternative until you find out what financial help may be provided.

Learn More about Becoming an Esthetician in Fairbanks

Choose the Right Fairbanks Esthetician Training

Picking and enrolling in the right esthetician college near Fairbanks AK is imperative to receive the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional esthetician.

 

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