How to Choose the Right Aesthetician Classes Near College Park Maryland

Once you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near College Park MD, the process begins to locate and enroll in the best program. It's important that the program you select not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be a little bit puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your College Park residence. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when reviewing prospective schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not always the right option. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about 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 offered.

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Esthetics 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 College Park Maryland 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 Programs

Online esthetician programs are advantageous for College Park MD students who are employed full-time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of online cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed by means of a desktop computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More traditional beauty schools are typically fast paced due to the fact that many programs are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it's important that the school you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it's impossible to obtain the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So don't forget if you choose to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Esthetics Trade Schools

Following is a list of questions that you should research for any esthetician training program you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your College Park residence, together with the expense 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 initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the Esthetician School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the esthetician training program you choose 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 comply with their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous College Park MD employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Any esthetician college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. 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 regarded. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with College Park MD salon owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And last, check with the Maryland 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?  A number of esthetician schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you choose a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective 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 open a College Park MD beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator as well. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Practicing and perfecting esthetician skills and techniques requires lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty academy provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician school, it's imperative that she or he receives support in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with College Park MD businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm 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. 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?  Almost all esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and find out 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 available to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative before you find out what financial aid may be provided.

Find Out How to Become an Aesthetician in College Park

Enroll in the Right College Park Esthetician Course

Locating and enrolling in the ideal esthetician college is imperative to get the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to organize all of the information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional esthetician in College Park Maryland.

 

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