How to Enroll In the Right Aesthetician College Near Clayton Missouri

Now that you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Clayton MO, the task begins to search for and enroll in the best program. It's important that the school you choose not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be a little bit unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Clayton home. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when assessing possible schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not always the ideal choice. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance 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 talk a bit about what types of programs are offered.

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Esthetics Degrees

There are primarily two avenues offered to receive esthetician training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate's degree. Certificate programs typically 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 each 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 incorporate management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Clayton MO business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you go with, it's essential to make certain that it's certified by the Missouri Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the upcoming segment.

Online Esthetics Training

Online esthetician programs are advantageous for Clayton MO students who are working full time and have family commitments that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are many web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed by means of a personal computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More conventional cosmetology programs are typically fast paced because many programs are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a considerable amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you're not devoting many hours away from your home or commuting to and from classes. On the other hand, it's imperative that the training program you pick can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors to ensure that you also receive the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it's impossible to gain the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So don't forget if you choose to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is available in your area.

What to Ask Esthetics Schools

Following is a series of questions that you need to look into for any esthetician training program you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Clayton residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably be your initial 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 options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have put together several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Esthetician School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the esthetician school you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Clayton MO businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals 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 industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Clayton MO salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And finally, consult the Missouri school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints 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 particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently 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 goal is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to open a Clayton MO beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator as well. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you need.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Studying and mastering esthetician skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Ask 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 skills on real people. If a beauty program furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for other schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician program, it's essential that he or she gets support in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with Clayton MO 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 organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  The majority of esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with 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 offered to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an alternative before you learn what financial help may be offered.

Learn How to Become an Aesthetician in Clayton

Enroll in the Best Clayton Esthetician Training

Picking and enrolling in the right esthetician school is important to get the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to organize all of the information you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the academy and program you decide on are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to start your new career as a professional esthetician in Clayton Missouri.

 

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