How to Select the Right Aesthetician Classes Near Berkeley California
Since you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Berkeley CA, the task starts to search for and enroll in the right program. It's essential that the school you select not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you might be rather puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Berkeley residence. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when assessing potential schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the right choice. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the aesthetician schools you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what kinds of programs are available.
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Esthetician Degrees and Certificates
There are primarily two avenues available to get esthetician training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward an Associate's degree. Certificate programs normally require 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 trained in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you want to focus on just one area, such as esthetics. A degree program will also most likely feature management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Berkeley CA business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you opt for, it's imperative to make sure that it's certified by the California Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the next segment.
Online Esthetician Schools
Online esthetician classes are advantageous for Berkeley CA students who are employed full time and have family responsibilities that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are many online beauty school programs offered that can be accessed by means of a desktop computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More traditional beauty programs are frequently fast paced given that many programs are as short as six or eight months. This means that a significant portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same amount of material, but you're not spending numerous hours outside of your home or driving to and from classes. On the other hand, it's vital that the program you pick can provide internship training in nearby 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 impossible to acquire the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Aesthetician Training Classes
Following is a series of questions that you should research for any esthetician training school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Berkeley home, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Esthetician School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the esthetician college you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Berkeley CA businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every esthetician college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Berkeley CA salon owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. Finally, contact the California 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 Focus? A number of esthetician schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your ambition is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to start a Berkeley CA beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator as well. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining esthetician techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty academy offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So search for other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician school, it's essential that he or she gets assistance in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help develop relationships with Berkeley CA businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out 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 accessible to students too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an option before you find out what financial help may be available.
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Enroll in the Best Berkeley Esthetician Training
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal esthetician program is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the information you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, 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 choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to begin your new career as a professional esthetician in Berkeley California.
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