How to Select the Best Esthetician School Near Erie Colorado
Since you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Erie CO, the process begins to search for and enroll in the best program. It's imperative that the program you pick not only furnishes the appropriate education for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you may be rather confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Erie home. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when assessing possible schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not always the ideal option. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the aesthetician schools you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what kinds of courses are available.
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Esthetics Degrees
There are essentially two pathways offered 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 typically take 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 major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you prefer to focus on just one area, for instance esthetics. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Erie CO business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you choose, it's essential to make sure that it's certified by the Colorado Board of Cosmetology. Many states only approve schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the following segment.
Online Esthetician Classes
Online esthetician classes are convenient for Erie CO students who are working full time and have family obligations that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of online cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed via a personal computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More traditional beauty schools are often fast paced since many programs are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are covering the same volume of material, but you're not devoting many hours away from your home or travelling back and forth from classes. However, it's vital that the training program you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors in order that you also get the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it's difficult to gain the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Esthetics Schools
Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any esthetician training school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Erie home, together with the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Esthetician Program Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the esthetician school you enroll in 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Erie CO businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every esthetician school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. 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, showing that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Erie CO salon owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, consult the Colorado school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many esthetician schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you enroll in a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to open a Erie CO beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator as well. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering esthetician techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty academy offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for developing your skills. So search for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it's crucial that she or he receives help in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with Erie CO employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which salons and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may 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 all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an option until you find out what financial assistance may be provided.
More Info on How to Become an Esthetician in Erie
Enroll in the Best Erie Esthetician Training
Picking and enrolling in the ideal esthetician program is imperative to receive the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the responses you get from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to start your career as a professional esthetician in Erie Colorado.