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What to Ask Esthetics Programs
Below is a list of questions that you need to look into for any esthetician training school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Derry residence, together with the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have put together some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Esthetician School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the esthetician school 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Derry NH employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any esthetician college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good 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, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Derry NH salon owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, 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 New Hampshire school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some esthetician schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example 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 objective 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 desire is to launch a Derry NH beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator as well. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting esthetician techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a beauty program offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from an esthetician program, it's crucial that he or she gets help in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with Derry NH businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out 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 Offered? The majority of esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you determine what financial help may be available.