How to Choose the Right Esthetician Program Near Bowling Green Kentucky
Since you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Bowling Green KY, the task begins to locate and enroll in the ideal program. It's important that the school you select not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be a little bit unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Bowling Green home. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when assessing prospective schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not automatically the ideal option. There are several 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 in this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what kinds of programs are available.
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Esthetics Certificates and Degrees
There are basically two options available 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 generally call for 12 to 18 months to finish, 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. 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 run a parlor or other Bowling Green KY business. Higher degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you choose, it's imperative to make certain that it's recognized by the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the upcoming segment.
Online Esthetics Courses
Online esthetician schools are advantageous for Bowling Green KY students who are working 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 offered that can be attended via a home computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are typically fast paced since many programs are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not spending numerous hours away from your home or travelling to and from classes. However, it's important that the training program you choose can provide internship training in nearby 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 impossible to acquire the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Aesthetician Training Courses
Below is a series of questions that you should look into for any esthetician training program you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Bowling Green residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Esthetician School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the esthetician college you enroll in 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 ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Bowling Green KY employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any esthetician college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Bowling Green KY salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And finally, check with the Kentucky school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of esthetician schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing 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 essential that you pick a school that specializes in 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 respected for that program. If your vision is to start a Bowling Green KY 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 ranked school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting esthetician techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore look for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from an esthetician program, it's essential that she or he gets help in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with Bowling Green KY employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which salons and organizations 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 respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an option until you find out what financial help may be provided.
Find Out How to Become an Aesthetician in Bowling Green
Enroll in the Best Bowling Green Esthetician Training
Selecting and enrolling in the right esthetician school is important to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the responses you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional esthetician in Bowling Green Kentucky.
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