How to Choose the Best Aesthetician Training Program Near North Aurora Illinois

Once you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near North Aurora IL, the process starts to search for and enroll in the right program. It's imperative that the program you choose not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be rather puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both pertain 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 North Aurora residence. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when evaluating prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not always the best option. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the aesthetician schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what types of training programs are offered.

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Esthetics Certificates and Degrees

There are primarily two pathways offered to receive esthetician training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can work toward an Associate's degree. Certificate programs typically 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 prefer to focus on just one area, for instance esthetics. A degree program will also likely incorporate management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other North Aurora IL business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you opt for, it's essential to make sure that it's certified by the Illinois Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify 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 select in the next segment.

Online Esthetician Classes

Online esthetician schools are accommodating for North Aurora IL students who are working full time and have family obligations that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be attended via a home computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More traditional beauty schools are typically fast paced since many courses are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a substantial amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same amount of material, but you are not devoting many hours away from your home or travelling back and forth from classes. However, it's important that the training program you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it's impossible to gain the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Aesthetician Training Programs

Following is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any esthetician training program you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your North Aurora residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will probably be your primary 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 options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Esthetician Program Accredited? It's important to make sure that the esthetician college 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of North Aurora IL businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Every esthetician institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with North Aurora IL salon owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with 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 Focus?  Many esthetician schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing 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 enroll in 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 respected for that program. If your vision is to start a North Aurora IL beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach 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 provide the training you need.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Practicing and mastering esthetician techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty academy offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. So search for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  When a student graduates from an esthetician program, it's crucial that he or she gets assistance in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help develop relationships with North Aurora IL businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  Most esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may qualify 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 satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an option until you determine what financial aid may be offered.

Find Out How to Become an Aesthetician in North Aurora

Enroll in the Best North Aurora Esthetician Course

Locating and enrolling in the ideal esthetician program is essential to get the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Don't forget to collect all of the information 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 procedure is to make certain that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions provided 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 examination, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional esthetician in North Aurora Illinois.

 

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