How to Find the Right Esthetician Training Program Near Livingston New Jersey

Now that you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Livingston NJ, the process begins to search for and enroll in the right program. It's imperative that the school you select not only provides the proper training for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be rather confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Livingston home. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when evaluating prospective schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not always the right choice. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the aesthetician schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what types of training programs are offered.

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Esthetician Degrees

There are essentially two pathways available 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 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 instructed in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you want to specialize in just one area, for instance esthetics. A degree program will also probably feature management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Livingston NJ business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you opt for, it's essential to make certain that it's approved by the New Jersey Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the following section.

Online Esthetician Programs

Online esthetician programs are advantageous for Livingston NJ students who are employed full time and have family obligations that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are many online beauty school programs available that can be accessed via a personal computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are often fast paced since many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a large 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 outside of your home or driving to and from classes. On the other hand, it's imperative that the school you select can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it's difficult to obtain the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So don't forget if you choose to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Esthetician Trade Schools

Below is a series of questions that you should investigate for any esthetician training program you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Livingston home, as well as the cost of tuition, will probably be your first 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 choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Esthetician Program Accredited? It's important to make certain that the esthetician school you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Livingston NJ businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively 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 excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Livingston NJ salon owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, contact the New Jersey school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Some 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, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your ambition is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to start a Livingston NJ beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator as well. Choosing a highly ranked school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you require.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Learning and refining esthetician techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that enable 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 alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician school, it's imperative that he or she receives aid in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with Livingston NJ businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which salons and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  The majority of esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and find out 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 offered to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an option before you learn what financial aid may be provided.

Find Out How to Become an Aesthetician in Livingston

Enroll in the Best Livingston Esthetician Program

Finding and enrolling in the right esthetician college is imperative to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the responses you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the academy and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are ready to start your new career as a professional esthetician in Livingston New Jersey.

 

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