How to Choose the Right Aesthetician Program Near Oxford Mississippi

Now that you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Oxford MS, the task starts to search for and enroll in the ideal program. It's essential that the school you pick not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be somewhat unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Oxford home. Tuition will also be a critical factor when evaluating possible schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not always the right option. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the aesthetician schools you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what types of training programs are available.

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Esthetician Certificates and Degrees

There are primarily two avenues available 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 typically take 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 each of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you prefer to concentrate on just one area, for instance esthetics. A degree program will also most likely incorporate management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Oxford MS business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you decide on, it's imperative to make sure that it's recognized by the Mississippi Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only approve schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the upcoming segment.

Online Esthetics Schools

Online esthetician programs are advantageous for Oxford MS students who are employed full time and have family responsibilities that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are many online cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended via a personal computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More conventional cosmetology programs are often fast paced since many courses are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a considerable portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, 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 imperative that the program you pick can provide internship training in area salons and parlors to ensure that you also obtain the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it's difficult to gain the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

What to Ask Aesthetician Programs

Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any esthetician training program you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Oxford residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you want 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 additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the Esthetician Program Accredited? It's important to make sure that the esthetician training program you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently 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 Oxford MS businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Every esthetician school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Oxford MS salon owners or managers, or any person 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 looked into. And last, consult the Mississippi school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Many esthetician schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you decide on 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 well regarded for that program. If your dream is to open a Oxford MS 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 pursuing will not provide the training you need.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Learning and refining esthetician skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it's important that she or he gets support in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with Oxford MS businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which salons and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  The majority of esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out 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 is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an option until you find out what financial assistance may be offered.

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Enroll in the Right Oxford Esthetician Training

Locating and enrolling in the ideal esthetician program is imperative to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to organize all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your career as a professional esthetician in Oxford Mississippi.

 

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