How to Select the Best Aesthetician School Near Waukegan Illinois

Now that you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Waukegan IL, the task starts to locate and enroll in the best program. It's imperative that the program you pick not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might 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 refer to the same kind of school. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Waukegan home. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when assessing potential schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not always the ideal option. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over 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 types of courses are available.

It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Esthetician Career Below!

Esthetics Certificates and Degrees

There are essentially two options offered to get esthetician training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate's degree. Certificate programs normally 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 all of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you want to specialize in just one area, for instance esthetics. A degree program will also likely feature management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Waukegan IL business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you decide on, it's important to make sure that it's approved by the Illinois Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only approve schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the following segment.

Online Esthetics Schools

Online esthetician programs are advantageous for Waukegan IL students who are employed full time and have family obligations that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of online cosmetology school programs available that can be attended via a personal computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More traditional beauty programs are frequently 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 online programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not spending numerous hours outside of your home or driving to and from classes. However, it's important that the program you choose can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it's difficult to obtain the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So don't forget if you choose to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is available in your area.

What to Ask Aesthetician Trade Schools

Below is a list of questions that you need to research for any esthetician training program you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Waukegan home, as well as the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn 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 even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Esthetician School Accredited? It's essential 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 agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Waukegan IL employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Each esthetician institute that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Waukegan IL salon owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, 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 considered. And finally, consult 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?  Many esthetician schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you decide on a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a Waukegan 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 rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you require.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided?  Learning and mastering esthetician techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty academy furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore search for other schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it's essential that he or she receives assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with Waukegan IL businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  Almost all esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify 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 each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an option until you determine what financial aid may be provided.

Find Out How to Become an Aesthetician in Waukegan

Enroll in the Best Waukegan Esthetician Training

Selecting and enrolling in the ideal esthetician program is important to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to organize all of the responses you get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the academy and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions provided 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 prepared to begin your career as a professional esthetician in Waukegan Illinois.

 

Waukegan Esthetician Classes | Waukegan Medical Esthetician Schools