How to Enroll In the Best Esthetician Training Program Near Bangor Maine
Now that you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Bangor ME, the process starts to locate and enroll in the right program. It's essential that the school you pick not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat confused 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 Bangor home. Tuition will additionally be an important aspect when reviewing potential schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not automatically the right option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the aesthetician schools you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what types of programs are available.
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Esthetician Degrees and Certificates
There are basically two pathways offered to obtain esthetician training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate's degree. Certificate programs usually require 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 major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you wish to focus on just one area, such as esthetics. A degree program will also probably include management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Bangor ME business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you opt for, it's important to make certain that it's approved by the Maine Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the upcoming segment.
Online Esthetics Classes
Online esthetician schools are accommodating for Bangor ME students who are working full-time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed by means of a desktop computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are frequently fast paced since many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a considerable amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are covering the same volume of material, but you're not spending numerous hours away from your home or travelling to and from classes. On the other hand, it's imperative that the program you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors in order that you also receive the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it's difficult to gain the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So make sure if you choose to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Esthetics Programs
Below is a series of questions that you should research for any esthetician training program you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Bangor home, together with the price of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like 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 additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have put together several of those supplemental 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 select 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 comply with their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Bangor ME businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every esthetician college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good 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, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Bangor ME salon owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And last, contact the Maine school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of 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, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a Bangor ME beauty salon, then you want 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 pursuing will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting esthetician skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty academy provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician school, it's imperative that she or he receives help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with Bangor ME employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which salons and organizations they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance 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 get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an option before you learn what financial assistance may be offered.
Learn How to Become an Esthetician in Bangor
Enroll in the Right Bangor Esthetician Training
Picking and enrolling in the right esthetician program is imperative to receive the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to organize all of the responses you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information 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 start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your career as a professional esthetician in Bangor Maine.