How to Choose the Right Aesthetician Course Near Grand Rapids Michigan

Since you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Grand Rapids MI, the process begins to search for and enroll in the right program. It's essential that the school you pick not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be rather confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Grand Rapids home. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when assessing prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the ideal choice. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the aesthetician schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what types of courses are offered.

It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Esthetician Career Below!

Esthetics Certificates and Degrees

There are essentially two pathways offered to get esthetician training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward an Associate's degree. Certificate programs usually call for 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 instructed in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you want to concentrate on just one area, for example esthetics. A degree program will also likely include management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Grand Rapids MI business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you choose, it's essential to make certain that it's certified by the Michigan Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the following segment.

Online Esthetics Schools

Online esthetician schools are accommodating for Grand Rapids MI students who are employed full-time and have family commitments that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended through a desktop computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More traditional beauty schools are often fast paced due to the fact that many programs are as short as six or eight months. This means that a considerable amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you're not spending numerous hours outside of your home or driving back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it's vital that the school you select can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it's difficult to obtain the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So don't forget 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 need to investigate for any esthetician training school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Grand Rapids residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have compiled several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Esthetician School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the esthetician school you pick 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 comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Grand Rapids MI employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Each esthetician school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Grand Rapids MI salon owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the Michigan school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Many esthetician schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select 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 well regarded for that program. If your dream is to launch a Grand Rapids MI beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator as well. Selecting a highly ranked school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you require.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Practicing and refining esthetician skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty program furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So search for alternate schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician school, it's essential that he or she gets support in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help develop relationships with Grand Rapids MI businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  Many esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and identify 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 also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you find out what financial assistance may be offered.

Find Out How to Become an Aesthetician in Grand Rapids

Enroll in the Right Grand Rapids Esthetician Course

Selecting and enrolling in the ideal esthetician school is essential to get the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented 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 examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional esthetician in Grand Rapids Michigan.

 

Grand Rapids Medical Esthetician Schools | Grand Rapids Aesthetician Schools Near Me