How to Choose the Best Aesthetician College Near Waterford Connecticut

Once you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Waterford CT, the task begins to locate and enroll in the best program. It's imperative that the program you select not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be rather confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Waterford residence. Tuition will also be an important aspect when assessing prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not automatically the best option. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance 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 discuss a bit about what kinds of courses are available.

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Esthetics Degrees and Certificates

There are basically two pathways offered to receive esthetician training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can work toward an Associate's degree. Certificate programs normally call for 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate's degree ordinarily takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you wish 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 operate a salon or other Waterford CT business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you decide on, it's essential to make certain that it's certified by the Connecticut Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the upcoming section.

Online Esthetician Training

Online esthetician schools are accommodating for Waterford CT students who are employed full-time and have family obligations that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be accessed via a desktop computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More traditional beauty schools are typically fast paced since many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a substantial amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not spending numerous hours away from your home or driving back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it's important that the school you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors in order that you also receive the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it's impossible to gain 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 confirm that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Esthetics Training Programs

Below is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any esthetician training school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Waterford residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly 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 need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Esthetician Program Accredited? It's important to make sure that the esthetician college you select 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Waterford CT businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Each esthetician school 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 referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Waterford CT salon owners or managers, or someone working in the business, 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. Finally, contact the Connecticut school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Some esthetician schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important 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 well regarded for that program. If your vision is to open a Waterford CT beauty salon, then you need 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 weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you require.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Learning and perfecting esthetician skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a beauty academy offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for acquiring your skills. So try to find alternate schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  When a student graduates from an esthetician school, it's imperative that she or he gets assistance in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with Waterford CT employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which salons and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  Most esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an alternative before you find out what financial help may be provided.

Find Out How to Become an Esthetician in Waterford

Enroll in the Best Waterford Esthetician Program

Locating and enrolling in the ideal esthetician school is important to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the responses you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your career as a professional esthetician in Waterford Connecticut.

 

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