How to Pick the Best Esthetician Training Program Near Baton Rouge Louisiana

Now that you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Baton Rouge LA, the process begins to locate and enroll in the ideal program. It's important that the school you pick not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be a little bit confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Baton Rouge home. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when reviewing prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not automatically the best option. There are many other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the aesthetician schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what types of programs are available.

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Esthetics Degrees and Certificates

There are essentially two avenues offered to get esthetician training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward an Associate's degree. Certificate programs normally take 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate's degree usually takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you prefer to focus on just one area, for instance esthetics. A degree program will also probably feature management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Baton Rouge LA business. Higher degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you go with, it's imperative to make certain that it's certified by the Louisiana Board of Cosmetology. Many states only approve schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the next segment.

Online Esthetician Schools

Online esthetician schools are accommodating for Baton Rouge LA students who are working full-time and have family obligations that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based beauty school programs available that can be attended via a home computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are typically fast paced because many programs are as short as six or eight months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet 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 essential that the training program you pick can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors to ensure that you also get the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it's difficult to acquire the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So make sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Aesthetician Trade Schools

Below is a series of questions that you should research for any esthetician training program you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Baton Rouge home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have collected some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Esthetician Program Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the esthetician school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Baton Rouge LA employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Any esthetician school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Baton Rouge LA salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, contact the Louisiana school licensing authority to find out 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 broad 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 typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative 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 dream is to open a Baton Rouge LA beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator as well. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you require.

Is Plenty of Live Training Provided?  Studying and mastering esthetician skills and techniques demands plenty 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 site that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician school, it's important that she or he gets support in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with Baton Rouge LA employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which salons and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  Almost all esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn 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 each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you determine what financial assistance may be offered.

Find Out How to Become an Esthetician in Baton Rouge

Enroll in the Right Baton Rouge Esthetician Training

Locating and enrolling in the ideal esthetician program is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on 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 certain that the academy and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your career as a professional esthetician in Baton Rouge Louisiana.

 

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