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Questions to Ask Aesthetician Degree Programs
Below is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any esthetician training program you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Hagerstown home, together with the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Esthetician Program Accredited? It's important to make sure that the esthetician college you enroll in 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary 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 concluding benefit, many Hagerstown MD businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every esthetician college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Hagerstown MD salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the Maryland school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many esthetician schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you decide on a school that focuses on 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 dream is to launch a Hagerstown MD 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 rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and mastering esthetician skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a beauty program furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So look for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it's crucial that she or he receives assistance in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with Hagerstown MD businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which salons and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance 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 office. Talk to a counselor and find out 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 offered to students also. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an option before you find out what financial aid may be provided.