How to Choose the Right Esthetician Training Program Near Ottawa Illinois

Now that you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Ottawa IL, the process begins to locate and enroll in the right program. It's important that the school you select not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be rather unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Ottawa residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical aspect when reviewing potential schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not always the ideal choice. There are several other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the aesthetician schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what types of courses are available.

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Esthetics Certificates and Degrees

There are primarily two avenues available to receive esthetician training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate's degree. Certificate programs normally require 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate's degree ordinarily takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you want to concentrate on just one area, for instance esthetics. A degree program will also likely feature management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Ottawa IL business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you go with, it's essential to make certain that it's recognized by the Illinois Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the upcoming section.

Online Esthetician Schools

Online esthetician schools are advantageous for Ottawa IL students who are working full time and have family responsibilities that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many online beauty school programs offered that can be attended by means of a desktop computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More conventional beauty schools are typically fast paced because many programs are as short 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're not devoting numerous hours away from your home or driving back and forth from classes. However, it's vital that the training program you pick can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it's impossible to acquire the skills required 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.

Questions to Ask Esthetics Schools

Following is a list of questions that you should look into for any esthetician training program you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Ottawa residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly 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 school. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Esthetician Program Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the esthetician school you enroll in 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 meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Ottawa IL businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Each esthetician college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Ottawa IL salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And 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?  A number of esthetician schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating 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 expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your intention is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to launch a Ottawa IL beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator as well. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you need.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided?  Practicing and mastering esthetician skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Ask 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 allow students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a beauty school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So look for alternate schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  When a student graduates from an esthetician school, it's crucial that she or he gets assistance in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with Ottawa IL businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  Most esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out 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 offered to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an option before you find out what financial aid may be available.

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Enroll in the Best Ottawa Esthetician Program

Finding and enrolling in the ideal esthetician program is important to receive the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional esthetician in Ottawa Illinois.

 

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