How to Select the Right Esthetician College Near Ashland Kentucky
Since you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Ashland KY, the process begins to search for and enroll in the ideal program. It's essential that the school you pick not only furnishes the proper training for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be somewhat unclear about the distinction 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 intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Ashland home. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when assessing possible schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the ideal option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the aesthetician schools you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what types of training programs are offered.
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Esthetician Degrees and Certificates
There are essentially two pathways 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 finish, while an Associate's degree usually takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in each of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you prefer to concentrate on just one area, for instance esthetics. A degree program will also probably include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Ashland KY business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you decide on, it's imperative to make certain that it's recognized by the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the following section.
Online Esthetician Courses
Online esthetician classes are convenient for Ashland KY students who are working full-time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous online beauty school programs offered that can be attended by means of a personal computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are typically fast paced because many programs are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same volume of material, but you're not spending numerous hours outside of your home or commuting back and forth from classes. However, it's imperative that the program you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors to ensure that you also receive the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it's impossible to acquire the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So don't forget if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.
What to Ask Esthetician Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you should research for any esthetician training school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Ashland residence, together with the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Esthetician School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the esthetician training program 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Ashland KY employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every esthetician college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Ashland KY salon owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And last, check with the Kentucky school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many esthetician schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden 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 ambition is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to open a Ashland KY beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator as well. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering esthetician skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty academy provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from an esthetician school, it's essential that she or he receives aid in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with Ashland KY businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which salons and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might get approved 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 except for cost, do not eliminate it as an option before you determine what financial assistance may be available.
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Enroll in the Right Ashland Esthetician Program
Locating and enrolling in the ideal esthetician college is imperative to obtain 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. Make certain to collect all of the information you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start 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 proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional esthetician in Ashland Kentucky.
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