How to Find the Right Aesthetician School Near Lansing Michigan

Now that you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Lansing MI, the process starts to locate and enroll in the ideal program. It's imperative that the program you choose not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be a little bit confused about the difference 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 plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Lansing home. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when assessing possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the ideal option. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the aesthetician schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what types of training programs are available.

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Esthetician Degrees and Certificates

There are basically two avenues available to receive esthetician training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate's degree. Certificate programs usually require 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate's degree ordinarily 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 probably include management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Lansing MI business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you decide on, it's essential to make sure that it's certified by the Michigan Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the next section.

Online Esthetician Programs

Online esthetician schools are accommodating for Lansing MI students who are employed full-time and have family commitments that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of online cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed through a desktop computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More conventional beauty schools are often fast paced given that many courses are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are covering the same volume of material, but you're not devoting many hours away from your home or travelling back and forth from classes. However, it's vital that the training program you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors to ensure that you also get the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it's difficult to obtain the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So make sure if you choose to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Aesthetician Programs

Following is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any esthetician training school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Lansing home, 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 preliminary 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 need to ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Esthetician Program Accredited? It's important 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 agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically 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, a number of Lansing MI employers 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 institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Lansing MI salon owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the Michigan school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Many 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, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention 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 open a Lansing MI beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator as well. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Learning and perfecting esthetician techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty program offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  Once a student graduates from an esthetician school, it's crucial that she or he gets support in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with Lansing MI employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which salons and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  Almost all esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an option before you learn what financial aid may be offered.

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Enroll in the Right Lansing Esthetician Training

Locating and enrolling in the right esthetician college is important to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your new career as a professional esthetician in Lansing Michigan.

 

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