How to Find the Best Esthetician College Near Augusta Maine
Once you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Augusta ME, the process starts to find and enroll in the best program. It's important that the program you select not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you may be a little bit unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Augusta home. Tuition will also be an important factor when assessing prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the right option. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the aesthetician schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what kinds of programs are available.
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Esthetician Training Requirements
An esthetics program may be found in a school of cosmetology, a dedicated esthetics school or, in some cases, a junior college. An esthetics program’s length is generally determined by the state in which it is located, as each state board of cosmetology sets minimum requirements for the number of hours of training an esthetics program must provide to meet the state’s licensing requirements. However, it is also quite common for esthetics programs to offer more extensive study beyond what is required for licensing purposes. In general, an esthetics program consists of about 600 hours, a common requirement in many states. However, a number of states require less than 600 hours and perhaps just as many require more than 600. Most state boards of cosmetology maintain lists of approved programs of esthetics within the state, while others recognize all programs that meet the state’s minimum clock-hour requirement. A comprehensive esthetics program includes instruction not only in esthetic treatment procedures and services, but in areas such as the structure of the skin and its function, disorders of the skin, and professional business skills.
Esthetician Job Description
As skilled skincare experts, estheticians need to be knowledgeable of everything from skin histology and physiology to bacteriology and sanitation protocols. As beauty professionals, estheticians must be trained to perform the services that promote healthy, radiant skin – including everything from hair removal methods, pore cleansing and extractions to microdermabrasion, makeup artistry, chemical peels, and light therapy. As beauty and wellness experts, people also turn to estheticians for consultations, advice, and tips for home skincare regimens. They may recommend products, educate clients, and recommend esthetic procedures based on their clients’ needs and wants. Their work environments can include Augusta Maine spas, resorts, salons, hospitals, nursing facilities and dermatologist offices.
Online Esthetics Programs
Online esthetician programs are advantageous for Augusta ME students who are employed full time and have family obligations that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be accessed via a personal 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 portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same volume of material, but you're not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it's essential that the training program you pick can provide internship training in local salons and parlors in order that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it's impossible to acquire the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So make sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is available in your area.
Questions to Ask Esthetician Trade Schools
Below is a series of questions that you will want to research for any esthetician training program you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Augusta residence, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first 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 program. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Esthetician School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the esthetician training program you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Augusta ME businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any esthetician college that you are seriously considering 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 employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Augusta ME salon owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And last, contact the Maine school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some esthetician schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you decide on a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to start a Augusta ME beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator as well. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Studying and mastering esthetician skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for developing your skills. So look for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from an esthetician program, it's essential that he or she gets help in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with Augusta ME employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which salons and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most esthetician schools provide 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 learn what student loans or grants you may 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 all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an option until you determine what financial help may be available.
More Info on How to Become an Esthetician in Augusta
Enroll in the Right Augusta Esthetician Course
Choosing and enrolling in the right esthetician college is important to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Don't forget to consolidate all of the responses you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions supplied 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 exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to begin your career as a professional esthetician in Augusta Maine.