How to Pick the Best Aesthetician Classes Near Smyrna Georgia
Now that you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Smyrna GA, the process starts to search for and enroll in the right program. It's imperative that the school you choose not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat puzzled 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 want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Smyrna home. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when assessing possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the ideal choice. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the aesthetician schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what types of courses are offered.
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Esthetics Certificates and Degrees
There are primarily two pathways available to receive esthetician training and a credential upon 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 finish, 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 main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you want to concentrate on just one area, for example esthetics. A degree program will also likely include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Smyrna GA business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you opt for, it's essential to make sure that it's approved by the Georgia Board of Cosmetology. Many states only approve schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the upcoming segment.
Online Esthetician Schools
Online esthetician schools are advantageous for Smyrna GA students who are employed full-time and have family responsibilities that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of online beauty school programs offered that can be attended by means of a personal computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More conventional beauty programs are typically fast paced since many courses are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a substantial amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you're not devoting many hours away from your home or commuting back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it's essential that the program you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors in order that you also get the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it's impossible to acquire the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So don't forget if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.
Questions to Ask Esthetician Training Courses
Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any esthetician training program you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Smyrna residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have compiled some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Esthetician Program Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the esthetician college you select 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 comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Smyrna GA employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good 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 placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Smyrna GA salon owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And last, consult 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 Specialty? Many 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 example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you decide on a school that specializes in 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 well regarded for that program. If your dream is to open a Smyrna GA 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 ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and mastering esthetician skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a beauty program offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician school, it's crucial that he or she gets assistance in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with Smyrna GA businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm 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 provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Talk to 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 available to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an option until you find out what financial aid may be offered.
Find Out How to Become an Esthetician in Smyrna
Enroll in the Right Smyrna Esthetician Course
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal esthetician school is essential to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start 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 proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to begin your career as a professional esthetician in Smyrna Georgia.