How to Choose the Best Esthetician Training Near Shreveport Louisiana
Now that you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Shreveport LA, the task starts to locate and enroll in the right program. It's imperative that the school you select not only provides the appropriate education for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be a little bit puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Shreveport residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when evaluating prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not automatically the ideal option. There are various other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the aesthetician schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what kinds of programs are available.
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Esthetician Training Requirements
Esthetics programs, which are available through dedicated schools of esthetics, career colleges or schools of cosmetology, must meet the requirements set forth by each state’s board of cosmetology. Most states recognize esthetics programs that consist of 600 hours of coursework and practical training as meeting the requirements for licensure, although a number of states require more hours while others require significantly fewer. For example, esthetician license candidates in Wisconsin must complete a program that is at least 450 hours long, while candidates in Indiana must complete a program consisting of at least 700 hours. Esthetics programs blend theory and practical study to introduce students to everything from skin histology and sanitation practices to the safe application of facial products and makeup. These programs also include coursework that covers the business, ethics and professional standards of the esthetics industry.
Esthetician Job Description
Estheticians (or aestheticians) are skin care specialists who typically work in Shreveport Louisiana spas and salons as well as resorts and medical facilities to provide a variety of treatments for their clients. Some of the typical duties of an esthetician include performing deep skin cleansing and treatments, hair removal, and massages. Estheticians also recommend skincare treatments, products, and regimens to their clients. Many estheticians are self-employed, which allows them to set their schedules and work where they wish. However, these professionals still often need to work evenings and weekends. These skin care specialists also spend much of their time standing and may be exposed to harmful chemicals. Certified estheticians have excellent customer service and communication skills. They're adept at time management, observation and monitoring and are competent in understanding and using the tools necessary for facial procedures and extractions. Certified estheticians are familiar with medical, spreadsheets, and word processing software. They present a professional appearance and have the physical fitness to stand for prolonged periods of time. A career in esthetics generally requires working evening and weekend hours.
Online Esthetician Courses
Online esthetician classes are accommodating for Shreveport LA students who are employed full-time and have family responsibilities that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended by means of a personal computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are typically fast paced given that many programs are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a considerable portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or driving back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it's important that the program you select can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it's impossible 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 program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.
What to Ask Esthetics Training Programs
Following is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any esthetician training program you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Shreveport residence, together with the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Esthetician Program Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the esthetician school you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing 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 final benefit, numerous Shreveport LA employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively 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 outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating 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 Shreveport LA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, check with the Louisiana school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many esthetician schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you decide on a school that specializes in 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 start a Shreveport LA beauty salon, then you want 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 provide the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering esthetician skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty school provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from an esthetician school, it's important that she or he gets support in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid develop relationships with Shreveport LA employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher 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 offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an option until you find out what financial help may be available.
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Enroll in the Right Shreveport Esthetician Program
Locating and enrolling in the ideal esthetician program is imperative to get the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to start your career as a professional esthetician in Shreveport Louisiana.
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