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Esthetician Degrees and Certificates
There are primarily two pathways offered to receive esthetician training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can work toward an Associate's degree. Certificate programs normally 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 trained in each of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you prefer to focus on just one area, such as esthetics. A degree program will also likely incorporate management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Montana business. Higher degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you opt for, it's imperative to make certain that it's approved by the Montana Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the upcoming section.
Online Esthetics Classes
Online esthetician schools are accommodating for Montana students who are working full-time and have family obligations that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed through a personal computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are often fast paced due to the fact that many programs are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a substantial amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not spending many hours away from your home or driving to and from classes. However, it's vital that the school you choose can provide internship training in local salons and parlors to ensure that you also get the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it's impossible to gain the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So don't forget if you choose to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is available in your area.