How to Choose the Best Aesthetician Training Program Near Columbia Missouri

Now that you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Columbia MO, the process begins to search for and enroll in the best program. It's imperative that the school you select not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be a little bit puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Columbia home. Tuition will additionally be an important consideration when assessing prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the right choice. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the aesthetician schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what kinds of programs are offered.

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Esthetician Training Programs

Esthetics programs, which are available through dedicated schools of esthetics, career colleges or schools of cosmetology, must meet the requirements set forth by each state’s board of cosmetology. Most states recognize esthetics programs that consist of 600 hours of coursework and practical training as meeting the requirements for licensure, although a number of states require more hours while others require significantly fewer. For example, esthetician license candidates in Wisconsin must complete a program that is at least 450 hours long, while candidates in Indiana must complete a program consisting of at least 700 hours. Esthetics programs blend theory and practical study to introduce students to everything from skin histology and sanitation practices to the safe application of facial products and makeup. These programs also include coursework that covers the business, ethics and professional standards of the esthetics industry.

Esthetician Job Description

Estheticians provide a wide range of beauty services to help their Columbia Missouri clients look and feel better. This includes improving the quality of the skin (including the treatment of skin disorders), hair removal, permanent makeup application, and facial massage. Some types of estheticians, like medical estheticians, provide highly specialized procedures that require detailed training in order for it to be done safely and effectively. Medical estheticians can help individuals suffering from serious skin disorders, burns, and other trauma, and to help with pre and post-operative surgery affecting the health of their skin. Estheticians work closely with their clients in a friendly and positive manner, so an enthusiastic attitude and desire to help people is an excellent attribute for an aspiring esthetician to possess. Some of the basic duties an esthetician may perform will include such tasks as:

• Assessing a patient’s needs
• Chemical peels
• Laser treatments
• Waxing
• Facials
• Massage of the head and neck
• Microdermabrasion

Online Esthetician Classes

Online esthetician schools are accommodating for Columbia MO students who are employed full time and have family commitments that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of online beauty school programs available that can be accessed via a home computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More traditional beauty schools are typically fast paced since many programs are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you're not spending many hours away from your home or travelling back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it's vital that the program you pick can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it's impossible to acquire the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is available in your area.

What to Ask Aesthetician Training Classes

Below is a list of questions that you need to research for any esthetician training program you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Columbia residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue 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 additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Esthetician School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the esthetician training program you pick 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 comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining 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, many Columbia MO businesses 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?  Any esthetician school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Columbia MO salon owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And finally, contact the Missouri school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Some esthetician schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you select 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 open a Columbia MO 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 ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you need.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided?  Learning and refining esthetician techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a beauty school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So search for other schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  When a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it's important that he or she gets aid in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help develop relationships with Columbia MO employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which salons and organizations they refer students to. In addition, 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 Offered?  Many esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an alternative before you determine what financial aid may be available.

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Enroll in the Best Columbia Esthetician Course

Locating and enrolling in the ideal esthetician program is imperative to get the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Don't forget to compile all of the responses you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your career as a professional esthetician in Columbia Missouri.

 

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