How to Select the Right Aesthetician Training Near Des Plaines Illinois
Since you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Des Plaines IL, the task begins to search for and enroll in the best program. It's imperative that the school you choose not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be a little bit confused about the distinction 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 intend on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Des Plaines residence. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when assessing potential schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not always the ideal option. There are various other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the aesthetician schools you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what kinds of training programs are available.
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Esthetician Degrees
There are primarily two avenues 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 normally take 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate's degree commonly takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you wish to specialize in just one area, for instance esthetics. A degree program will also most likely feature management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Des Plaines IL business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you opt for, it's important to make certain that it's recognized by the Illinois Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you decide on in the upcoming section.
Online Esthetician Programs
Online esthetician programs are convenient for Des Plaines IL 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 beauty school programs offered that can be accessed by means of a personal computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More traditional beauty schools are often fast paced since many programs are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a significant portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not spending many hours away from your home or travelling back and forth from classes. However, it's imperative that the training program you select can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it's difficult to gain the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is available in your area.
What to Ask Esthetician Training Classes
Following is a series of questions that you need to research for any esthetician training school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Des Plaines residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish 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 must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Esthetician Program 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 organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Des Plaines IL employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each esthetician school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Des Plaines IL salon owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And last, consult the Illinois school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many esthetician schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you enroll in a school that focuses on 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 vision is to open a Des Plaines IL 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 regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting esthetician techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty lessons 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 school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician school, it's essential that she or he gets assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develop relationships with Des Plaines IL businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are looking at 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 wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an option before you find out what financial aid may be provided.
Find Out How to Become an Aesthetician in Des Plaines
Enroll in the Right Des Plaines Esthetician Training
Finding and enrolling in the ideal esthetician school is important to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to consolidate all of the responses you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you pick are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address 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 choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional esthetician in Des Plaines Illinois.
Des Plaines Aesthetician Schools Near Me | Des Plaines Esthetician Schools Near Me