How to Choose the Best Aesthetician School Near South Lake Tahoe California
Now that you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near South Lake Tahoe CA, the task starts to find and enroll in the best program. It's important that the school you select not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be rather unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your South Lake Tahoe home. Tuition will likewise be a critical consideration when assessing potential schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not automatically the right choice. There are various other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the aesthetician schools you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what types of training programs are available.
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Esthetician Training Requirements
An esthetics program may be found in a school of cosmetology, a dedicated esthetics school or, in some cases, a junior college. An esthetics program’s length is generally determined by the state in which it is located, as each state board of cosmetology sets minimum requirements for the number of hours of training an esthetics program must provide to meet the state’s licensing requirements. However, it is also quite common for esthetics programs to offer more extensive study beyond what is required for licensing purposes. In general, an esthetics program consists of about 600 hours, a common requirement in many states. However, a number of states require less than 600 hours and perhaps just as many require more than 600. Most state boards of cosmetology maintain lists of approved programs of esthetics within the state, while others recognize all programs that meet the state’s minimum clock-hour requirement. A comprehensive esthetics program includes instruction not only in esthetic treatment procedures and services, but in areas such as the structure of the skin and its function, disorders of the skin, and professional business skills.
Esthetician Job Description
As skilled skincare experts, estheticians need to be knowledgeable of everything from skin histology and physiology to bacteriology and sanitation protocols. As beauty professionals, estheticians must be trained to perform the services that promote healthy, radiant skin – including everything from hair removal methods, pore cleansing and extractions to microdermabrasion, makeup artistry, chemical peels, and light therapy. As beauty and wellness experts, people also turn to estheticians for consultations, advice, and tips for home skincare regimens. They may recommend products, educate clients, and recommend esthetic procedures based on their clients’ needs and wants. Their work environments can include South Lake Tahoe California spas, resorts, salons, hospitals, nursing facilities and dermatologist offices.
Online Esthetician Schools
Online esthetician classes are advantageous for South Lake Tahoe CA students who are working full time and have family obligations that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be attended by means of a desktop computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More conventional beauty programs are frequently fast paced since many programs are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a considerable portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same amount of material, but you're not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or commuting back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it's essential that the school you select can provide internship training in area salons and parlors in order that you also receive the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it's difficult to obtain the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So don't forget if you choose to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Esthetician Training Programs
Following is a series of questions that you should look into for any esthetician training school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your South Lake Tahoe residence, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have compiled several of those additional 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 training program you select 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 comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many South Lake Tahoe CA employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every esthetician school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with South Lake Tahoe CA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the California 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? Many esthetician schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you enroll in a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to launch a South Lake Tahoe CA beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator as well. Choosing a highly ranked school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining esthetician skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician program, it's important that he or she gets assistance in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with South Lake Tahoe CA employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? The majority of esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and find out 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 available to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an alternative before you determine what financial assistance may be offered.
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Enroll in the Right South Lake Tahoe Esthetician Course
Locating and enrolling in the right esthetician college is important to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your career as a professional esthetician in South Lake Tahoe California.
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