How to Choose the Right Aesthetician Program Near Hartford Connecticut

Now that you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Hartford CT, the process begins to locate and enroll in the ideal program. It's essential that the program you choose not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you may be rather confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Hartford residence. Tuition will also be an important factor when evaluating possible schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not always the ideal choice. There are various other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the aesthetician schools you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what kinds of programs are offered.

It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Esthetician Career Below!

Esthetics Degrees

There are primarily two avenues offered to get esthetician training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate's degree. Certificate programs normally 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 trained in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you prefer to concentrate on just one area, for instance esthetics. A degree program will also likely incorporate management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Hartford CT business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you choose, it's essential to make sure that it's recognized by the Connecticut Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the benefits of accreditation for the school you decide on in the upcoming segment.

Online Esthetics Schools

Online esthetician programs are accommodating for Hartford CT students who are employed full-time and have family commitments that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be accessed by means of a home computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More traditional beauty programs are frequently fast paced since many programs are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you're not spending many hours outside of your home or driving to and from classes. On the other hand, it's imperative that the school you pick can provide internship training in local salons and parlors to ensure that you also obtain the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it's difficult to acquire the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

What to Ask Esthetician Degree Programs

Below is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any esthetician training program you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Hartford home, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first 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 options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have compiled several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Esthetician School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the esthetician training program you select 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 measure up to their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically 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 concluding benefit, a number of Hartford CT businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Any esthetician college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Hartford CT salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with the Connecticut school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances 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 frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective 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 launch a Hartford CT 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 deliver the training you require.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Learning and refining esthetician techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus 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 depends mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for other schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from an esthetician school, it's crucial that he or she gets assistance in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with Hartford CT employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  The majority of esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and identify 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 offered to students too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an option until you find out what financial help may be provided.

Learn How to Become an Aesthetician in Hartford

Enroll in the Right Hartford Esthetician Program

Finding and enrolling in the ideal esthetician program is imperative to obtain 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 certain to consolidate all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional esthetician in Hartford Connecticut.

 

Hartford Aesthetician Schools Near Me | Hartford Esthetician Schools Near Me