How to Select the Best Esthetician College Near Smyrna Georgia

Now that you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Smyrna GA, the task begins to search for and enroll in the best program. It's important that the school you pick not only provides the proper 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 somewhat puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Smyrna home. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when evaluating possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not always the best choice. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the aesthetician schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what types of courses are offered.

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Esthetician Degrees

There are primarily two options available to receive esthetician training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate's degree. Certificate programs normally take 12 to 18 months to complete, 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 major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you wish to concentrate on just one area, for instance esthetics. A degree program will also likely incorporate management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Smyrna GA business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you choose, it's essential to make certain that it's certified by the Georgia Board of Cosmetology. Many states only approve schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the next section.

Online Esthetics Classes

Online esthetician classes are convenient for Smyrna GA students who are employed full time and have family obligations that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous online cosmetology school programs available that can be attended through a personal computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are often fast paced given that many programs are as short as six or eight months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you're not spending many hours outside of your home or travelling back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it's essential that the school you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors in order that you also get the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it's difficult to acquire the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So make sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Esthetics Training Courses

Following is a series of questions that you should investigate for any esthetician training program you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Smyrna home, as well as the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.

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 acknowledged 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 ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Smyrna GA businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Each esthetician institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Smyrna GA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. Finally, check with the Georgia school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints 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 areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific 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 select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention 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 Smyrna GA 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 regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you require.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided?  Studying and refining esthetician skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty school provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from an esthetician school, it's important that he or she gets help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with Smyrna GA employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify 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 department. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to 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 eliminate it as an alternative until you learn what financial assistance may be offered.

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Enroll in the Best Smyrna Esthetician Training

Selecting and enrolling in the right esthetician college is essential to obtain the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the information you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied 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 self-assured that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional esthetician in Smyrna Georgia.

 

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