How to Choose the Right Esthetician Training Near Lakewood Colorado

Once you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Lakewood CO, the task starts to search for and enroll in the ideal program. It's important that the program you pick not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you may be somewhat confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Lakewood home. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when evaluating potential schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not automatically the right option. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the aesthetician schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what kinds of training programs are offered.

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Esthetics Degrees

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 usually require 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate's degree commonly takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in each of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you prefer to focus on just one area, such as esthetics. A degree program will also likely include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Lakewood CO 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 important to make sure that it's certified by the Colorado Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only approve schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the next section.

Online Esthetics Courses

Online esthetician classes are accommodating for Lakewood CO students who are employed full-time and have family commitments that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based beauty school programs offered that can be attended via a desktop computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are typically fast paced given that many programs are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a large portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you're not devoting many hours outside of your home or driving to and from classes. However, it's vital that the program you select can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it's impossible to acquire the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Esthetics Training Programs

Below is a series 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 relative to your Lakewood home, as well as the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial 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 choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Esthetician Program Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the esthetician school you enroll in 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 comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Lakewood CO businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Any esthetician school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Lakewood CO salon owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And finally, check with the Colorado school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Some esthetician schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since 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 start a Lakewood CO beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator as well. Selecting a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you need.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided?  Practicing and refining esthetician techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty academy provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore look for other schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  Once a student graduates from an esthetician program, it's essential that he or she gets aid in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with Lakewood CO employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which salons and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, 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 regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  Many esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an option before you find out what financial assistance may be offered.

Find Out How to Become an Aesthetician in Lakewood

Enroll in the Right Lakewood Esthetician Program

Finding and enrolling in the ideal esthetician college is important to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the academy and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to begin your career as a professional esthetician in Lakewood Colorado.

 

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