How to Choose the Right Aesthetician Program Near Brookhaven Georgia
Once you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Brookhaven GA, the process begins to find and enroll in the right program. It's imperative that the program you select not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps 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 pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Brookhaven residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical consideration when assessing possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the best option. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the aesthetician schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what kinds of courses are available.
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Esthetics Degrees
There are essentially two pathways available to obtain esthetician training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate's degree. Certificate programs normally take 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate's degree ordinarily takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you prefer to focus on just one area, for example esthetics. A degree program will also likely feature management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Brookhaven GA business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you opt for, it's important to make certain that it's recognized by the Georgia Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the following section.
Online Esthetician Classes
Online esthetician classes are advantageous for Brookhaven GA students who are working full time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be accessed through a desktop computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More conventional cosmetology programs are typically fast paced due to the fact that many courses are as short as six or eight months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you are not spending many hours outside of your home or driving to and from classes. However, it's essential that the training program you pick can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it's difficult to gain the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
What to Ask Esthetics Programs
Following is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any esthetician training school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Brookhaven residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Esthetician Program Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the esthetician school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Brookhaven GA businesses will not recruit 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 considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Brookhaven GA 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. And finally, check with the Georgia school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full 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, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically 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 ambition is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to start a Brookhaven GA beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach 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 require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting esthetician skills and techniques requires lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So try to find other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from an esthetician program, it's imperative that she or he receives aid in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with Brookhaven GA businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? The majority of esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an option before you learn what financial help may be provided.
Learn How to Become an Esthetician in Brookhaven
Enroll in the Best Brookhaven Esthetician Program
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal esthetician school is important to get the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to consolidate 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 good beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, 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 test, you will be confident that you are ready to start your career as a professional esthetician in Brookhaven Georgia.
Brookhaven Esthetician Schools Near Me | Brookhaven Esthetician Programs