How to Choose the Best Esthetician College Near Frankfort Kentucky
Once you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Frankfort KY, the process begins to locate and enroll in the ideal program. It's essential that the program you choose not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be somewhat puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Frankfort home. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when reviewing possible schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the right option. There are various other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the aesthetician schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what kinds of courses are offered.
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Esthetics Degrees and Certificates
There are essentially two avenues available to obtain esthetician training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward an Associate's degree. Certificate programs normally require 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 trained in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you prefer to focus on just one area, for instance esthetics. A degree program will also most likely feature management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Frankfort KY business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you go with, it's essential to make certain that it's certified by the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology. Many states only approve schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the upcoming segment.
Online Esthetics Classes
Online esthetician programs are accommodating for Frankfort KY students who are working full-time and have family commitments that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many online beauty school programs available that can be attended through a home computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More traditional beauty programs are often fast paced because 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 programs, you are covering the same volume of material, but you're not devoting many hours outside of your home or travelling back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it's vital that the program you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors in order that you also receive the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it's difficult to acquire the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Aesthetician Training Programs
Below is a list of questions that you will want to research for any esthetician training school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Frankfort residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Esthetician School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the esthetician training program you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Frankfort KY employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every esthetician school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Frankfort KY salon owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And last, consult 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 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 particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you enroll in a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to launch a Frankfort KY beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator as well. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and mastering esthetician skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty academy offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician program, it's crucial that she or he receives help in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with Frankfort KY businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs 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. Higher rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify 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 fulfills all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an alternative until you find out what financial assistance may be available.
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Enroll in the Right Frankfort Esthetician Training
Choosing and enrolling in the right esthetician school is imperative to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to consolidate all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the academy and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional esthetician in Frankfort Kentucky.
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