How to Select the Right Esthetician College Near Shreveport Louisiana

Since you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Shreveport LA, the process starts to locate and enroll in the right program. It's important that the school you choose not only furnishes the proper training for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be rather puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Shreveport home. Tuition will also be an important factor when evaluating potential schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the best option. There are several other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the aesthetician schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what kinds of programs are available.

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Esthetician Degrees

There are basically two options offered to obtain esthetician training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate's degree. Certificate programs normally take 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 all of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you wish to focus on just one area, such as esthetics. A degree program will also likely include management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Shreveport LA business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you go with, it's imperative to make certain that it's certified by the Louisiana Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the following section.

Online Esthetics Programs

Online esthetician classes are accommodating for Shreveport LA students who are employed full-time and have family commitments that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based beauty school programs offered that can be attended through a desktop computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More conventional cosmetology programs are often fast paced given that many programs are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you are not spending numerous hours away from your home or commuting back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it's important that the school you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors to ensure that you also receive the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it's difficult to obtain the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So don't forget if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Aesthetician Training Courses

Below is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any esthetician training school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Shreveport residence, together with the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue 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 need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have put together several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the Esthetician Program Accredited? It's important to make sure that the esthetician college 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable 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 Shreveport LA businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Each esthetician school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Shreveport LA 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 propose others that you had not considered. And last, consult the Louisiana school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Many esthetician schools offer programs that are expansive 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 commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select 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 well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to open a Shreveport LA beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator as well. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you require.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Practicing and perfecting esthetician skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a beauty program offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So look for other schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  Once a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it's crucial that she or he gets aid in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with Shreveport LA employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which salons and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  Many 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 might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an option until you determine what financial help may be offered.

More Info on How to Become an Esthetician in Shreveport

Enroll in the Best Shreveport Esthetician Course

Locating and enrolling in the ideal esthetician program is important to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the responses you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented 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 examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional esthetician in Shreveport Louisiana.

 

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