How to Select the Right Esthetician College Near Normal Illinois

Since you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Normal IL, the process starts to search for and enroll in the ideal program. It's imperative that the school you select not only furnishes the proper instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be rather puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Normal residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical consideration when evaluating prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the ideal option. There are various other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the aesthetician schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what kinds of courses are offered.

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Esthetics Training Programs

Esthetics programs, which are available through dedicated schools of esthetics, career colleges or schools of cosmetology, must meet the requirements set forth by each state’s board of cosmetology. Most states recognize esthetics programs that consist of 600 hours of coursework and practical training as meeting the requirements for licensure, although a number of states require more hours while others require significantly fewer. For example, esthetician license candidates in Wisconsin must complete a program that is at least 450 hours long, while candidates in Indiana must complete a program consisting of at least 700 hours. Esthetics programs blend theory and practical study to introduce students to everything from skin histology and sanitation practices to the safe application of facial products and makeup. These programs also include coursework that covers the business, ethics and professional standards of the esthetics industry.

Esthetician Job Description

Estheticians (or aestheticians) are skin care specialists who typically work in Normal Illinois spas and salons as well as resorts and medical facilities to provide a variety of treatments for their clients. Some of the typical duties of an esthetician include performing deep skin cleansing and treatments, hair removal, and massages. Estheticians also recommend skincare treatments, products, and regimens to their clients. Many estheticians are self-employed, which allows them to set their schedules and work where they wish. However, these professionals still often need to work evenings and weekends. These skin care specialists also spend much of their time standing and may be exposed to harmful chemicals. Certified estheticians have excellent customer service and communication skills. They're adept at time management, observation and monitoring and are competent in understanding and using the tools necessary for facial procedures and extractions. Certified estheticians are familiar with medical, spreadsheets, and word processing software. They present a professional appearance and have the physical fitness to stand for prolonged periods of time. A career in esthetics generally requires working evening and weekend hours.

Online Esthetician Schools

Online esthetician classes are accommodating for Normal IL students who are working full-time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended by means of a desktop computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are often fast paced because many programs are as brief as six or eight 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 driving back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it's important that the school you choose can provide internship training in local salons and parlors to ensure that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it's impossible to gain the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So don't forget if you choose to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Aesthetician Training Programs

Following is a series of questions that you should investigate for any esthetician training program you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Normal residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want 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 initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have compiled some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Esthetician School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the esthetician training program you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified 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 assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Normal IL businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Any esthetician school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Normal IL salon owners or managers, or any person 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. And finally, contact the Illinois school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Many 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, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you pick a school that focuses on 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 well regarded for that program. If your dream is to start a Normal IL beauty salon, then you want 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 poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you require.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided?  Learning and mastering esthetician skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty program furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for other schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it's imperative that he or she receives aid in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with Normal IL businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  Almost all esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to 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 available to students as well. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an option before you determine what financial aid may be available.

Find Out How to Become an Aesthetician in Normal

Enroll in the Right Normal Esthetician Course

Choosing and enrolling in the right esthetician program is imperative to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to organize all of the responses you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to start your career as a professional esthetician in Normal Illinois.

 

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