How to Enroll In the Right Aesthetician School Near Shreveport Louisiana

Now that you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Shreveport LA, the process begins to locate and enroll in the ideal program. It's essential that the program you choose not only furnishes the appropriate education for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be rather unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Shreveport home. Tuition will additionally be a critical factor when evaluating possible schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the ideal option. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the aesthetician schools you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what types of courses are available.

It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Esthetician Career Below!

Esthetician Training Programs

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 Schools

Online esthetician programs are convenient for Shreveport LA students who are working full-time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous online cosmetology school programs available that can be attended by means of a desktop computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More traditional beauty schools are typically fast paced since many programs are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a considerable amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are covering the same volume 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 choose can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors in order that you also obtain the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it's difficult to obtain the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So don't forget if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Esthetics Programs

Following is a list of questions that you will want to research for any esthetician training school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Shreveport residence, together with the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably 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 take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Esthetician Program Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the esthetician college you select 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Shreveport LA businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Any esthetician school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Shreveport LA salon owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And finally, contact the Louisiana school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Many esthetician schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention 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 launch a Shreveport 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 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 techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. So look for alternate schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician program, it's important that he or she gets support in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with Shreveport LA employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask 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 Aid Offered?  Most esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and learn 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 offered to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you find out what financial assistance may be provided.

Learn How to Become an Aesthetician in Shreveport

Enroll in the Right Shreveport Esthetician Program

Finding and enrolling in the ideal esthetician college is imperative to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your career as a professional esthetician in Shreveport Louisiana.

 

Shreveport Esthetician Classes Near Me | Shreveport Aesthetician Schools