How to Choose the Best Aesthetician Training Program Near Wheaton Illinois
Now that you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Wheaton IL, the task starts to locate and enroll in the ideal program. It's imperative that the program you select not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Wheaton home. Tuition will also be a critical factor when assessing possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the best choice. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the aesthetician schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what kinds of courses are available.
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Esthetician Certificates and Degrees
There are essentially two pathways available to receive 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 generally take 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate's degree commonly takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you want to specialize in just one area, such as esthetics. A degree program will also probably include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Wheaton IL business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you decide on, it's imperative to make certain that it's approved by the Illinois Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only certify schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the next segment.
Online Esthetician Classes
Online esthetician programs are advantageous for Wheaton IL students who are employed full time and have family commitments that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of online beauty school programs available that can be accessed via a desktop computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More traditional beauty schools are often fast paced since many programs are as short as six or eight months. This means that a significant portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are covering the same volume of material, but you are 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 select can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it's difficult to obtain the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So don't forget if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.
Questions to Ask Aesthetician Training Programs
Following is a series of questions that you should look into for any esthetician training school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Wheaton home, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Esthetician Program Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the esthetician college you choose 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 measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Wheaton IL employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may 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 outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Wheaton IL salon owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And finally, consult the Illinois school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of esthetician schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to start a Wheaton IL beauty salon, then you want 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 require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and refining esthetician skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty academy furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician school, it's important that she or he gets aid in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid develop relationships with Wheaton IL businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Almost all esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may 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 meets each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you find out what financial assistance may be provided.
Find Out How to Become an Esthetician in Wheaton
Enroll in the Right Wheaton Esthetician Program
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal esthetician college is essential to obtain the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the responses you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional esthetician in Wheaton Illinois.