How to Choose 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 starts to locate and enroll in the right program. It's imperative that the program you pick not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be somewhat unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Clayton home. Tuition will also be an important consideration when assessing prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the ideal choice. There are many other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance 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 kinds of programs are available.
It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Esthetician Career Below!
Esthetician Degrees
There are basically two pathways available to receive esthetician training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate's degree. Certificate programs typically require 12 to 18 months to finish, 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 wish to specialize in just one area, for instance esthetics. A degree program will also probably incorporate management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Clayton MO business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you decide on, it's essential to make certain that it's approved by the Missouri Board of Cosmetology. Many states only approve schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the next segment.
Online Esthetician Classes
Online esthetician programs are advantageous for Clayton MO students who are working full time and have family commitments that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are many web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed by means of a home computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are often fast paced given that many programs are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a substantial amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or driving back and forth from classes. However, it's essential that the program you pick can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it's difficult to acquire the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.
Questions to Ask Esthetics Degree Programs
Below is a series of questions that you should investigate for any esthetician training program you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Clayton residence, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably 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 consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Esthetician Program Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the esthetician school you pick 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 assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered 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 Clayton MO employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every esthetician school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Clayton MO salon owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar 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 see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of esthetician schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential 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 well regarded for that program. If your desire is to launch a Clayton MO beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct 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 deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting esthetician skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty program furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. So look for other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from an esthetician program, it's imperative that he or she gets help in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with Clayton MO employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which salons and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Almost all esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an option before you determine what financial help may be offered.
More Info on How to Become an Esthetician in Clayton
Enroll in the Best Clayton Esthetician Course
Finding and enrolling in the ideal esthetician program is important to receive the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to organize all of the information you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your new career as a professional esthetician in Clayton Missouri.