How to Pick the Right Aesthetician Training Program Near Lafayette Indiana
Once you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Lafayette IN, the task begins to find and enroll in the best program. It's imperative that the school you select not only provides the proper training for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start 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 pertain to the same type of school. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Lafayette home. Tuition will likewise be a critical consideration when evaluating possible schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the right choice. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when comparing 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 training programs are offered.
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Esthetician Degrees and Certificates
There are primarily two options offered to get 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 usually call for 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 major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you want to focus on just one area, such as esthetics. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Lafayette IN business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you decide on, it's essential to make certain that it's approved by the Indiana Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the upcoming section.
Online Esthetics Training
Online esthetician classes are accommodating for Lafayette IN students who are working full time and have family obligations that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of online beauty school programs available that can be attended through a desktop computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More traditional beauty schools are often fast paced because many programs are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a substantial portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not devoting many hours away from your home or driving to and from classes. On the other hand, it's imperative that the training program you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it's difficult to gain the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So don't forget if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is available in your area.
What to Ask Aesthetician Training Courses
Following is a series of questions that you should research for any esthetician training program you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Lafayette home, together with the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Esthetician Program Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the esthetician college you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, 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 essential for acquiring 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 concluding benefit, a number of Lafayette IN employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each esthetician college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Lafayette IN salon owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the Indiana school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some esthetician schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select 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 well regarded for that program. If your desire is to start a Lafayette IN 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 provide the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting esthetician techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty school offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from an esthetician school, it's important that he or she gets assistance in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with Lafayette IN employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad 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. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an option before you learn what financial aid may be available.
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Enroll in the Best Lafayette Esthetician Program
Selecting 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 so as to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to consolidate all of the responses you get from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to begin your new career as a professional esthetician in Lafayette Indiana.
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