How to Pick the Right Aesthetician Course Near Silver Spring Maryland
Since you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Silver Spring MD, the task begins to locate and enroll in the best program. It's essential that the program you select not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be somewhat confused about the contrast 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 need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Silver Spring residence. Tuition will also be an important aspect when evaluating prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not automatically the right choice. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the aesthetician schools you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what types of programs are offered.
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Esthetician Training Requirements
Estheticians are highly trained, in-demand skincare experts, which is why an esthetics program requires around 600 hours of hands-on training hours. For licensure, you need to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the skin and the technology used in advanced treatments like lasers, LED lights, oxygen, or ultrasonic waves. Keep in mind that program requirements can vary by state, but most states require at least 600 hours of training to obtain a license in the field. In addition to training, estheticians should also have a professional and friendly personality that instills confidence in their clients. A skilled esthetician must be able to listen and empathize with their clients’ needs and concerns, often personalizing treatment for them.
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 Silver Spring Maryland spas, resorts, salons, hospitals, nursing facilities and dermatologist offices.
Online Esthetician Classes
Online esthetician schools are convenient for Silver Spring MD students who are employed full-time and have family obligations that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are many online cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended through a personal computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More conventional cosmetology programs are typically fast paced due to the fact that many courses are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not spending many hours away from your home or commuting to and from classes. On the other hand, it's essential that the training program you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors in order that you also get the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it's difficult to acquire the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided 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 considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Silver Spring residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
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 organization, 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 quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Silver Spring MD employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each esthetician institute that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Silver Spring MD salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. Finally, 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 Focus? A number of esthetician schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to launch a Silver Spring 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 ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting esthetician techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty program provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician school, it's essential that she or he receives assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with Silver Spring MD employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which salons and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of 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 with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an option before you learn what financial assistance may be available.
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Enroll in the Right Silver Spring Esthetician Program
Finding and enrolling in the right esthetician program is important to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to organize all of the responses 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 reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the academy and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional esthetician in Silver Spring Maryland.
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