How to Pick the Right Aesthetician Training Program Near Springfield Illinois

Since you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Springfield IL, the process begins to locate and enroll in the best program. It's essential that the program you pick not only furnishes the necessary instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you might be a little bit unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Springfield home. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when reviewing prospective schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the ideal option. There are various other factors that you should weigh when analyzing 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 within this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what kinds of training programs are offered.

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Esthetician Degrees and Certificates

There are primarily two avenues available to obtain esthetician training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate's degree. Certificate programs usually take 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 each of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you want to concentrate on just one area, for example esthetics. A degree program will also likely include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Springfield IL business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you opt for, it's important to make certain that it's certified by the Illinois Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the next segment.

Online Esthetician Programs

Online esthetician schools are convenient for Springfield IL students who are working full-time and have family obligations that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended by means of a personal computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are typically fast paced given that many courses are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are covering the same amount of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours away from your home or commuting back and forth from classes. However, it's imperative that the school you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors in order that you also receive the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion 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 program to verify that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Aesthetician Trade Schools

Following is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any esthetician training program you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Springfield residence, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the Esthetician Program Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the esthetician school you select 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 measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently 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 Springfield IL businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Any esthetician institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Springfield IL salon owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. Finally, check with the Illinois school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full 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 specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you decide on a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective 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 launch a Springfield IL 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 ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you require.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Studying and perfecting esthetician skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. So try to find other 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 crucial that she or he receives support in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with Springfield IL businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  Most esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an option before you determine what financial help may be available.

Learn How to Become an Esthetician in Springfield

Enroll in the Best Springfield Esthetician Training

Selecting and enrolling in the ideal esthetician college is imperative to get the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make 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 get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on 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 certain that the institution and program you select 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 right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your career as a professional esthetician in Springfield Illinois.

 

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