How to Select the Right Aesthetician College Near Palisades Park New Jersey

Since you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Palisades Park NJ, the process begins to search for and enroll in the right program. It's imperative that the school you select not only furnishes the necessary instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat unclear 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 kind of school. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Palisades Park residence. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when assessing prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the ideal choice. There are many other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example 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 talk a little bit about what types of training programs are available.

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Esthetics Degrees and Certificates

There are essentially two options available to get esthetician training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward an Associate's degree. Certificate programs generally call for 12 to 18 months to complete, 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 major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you wish to concentrate on just one area, such as esthetics. A degree program will also probably include management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Palisades Park NJ business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you choose, it's important to make sure that it's recognized by the New Jersey Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only certify schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, for instance 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 Schools

Online esthetician schools are accommodating for Palisades Park NJ students who are working full-time and have family commitments that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended through a home computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are frequently fast paced since many courses are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a large portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not spending numerous hours outside of your home or travelling back and forth from classes. However, it's vital that the program you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it's difficult to acquire the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Aesthetician Programs

Below is a series of questions that you should research for any esthetician training program you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Palisades Park residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt 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 should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the Esthetician School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the esthetician training program you select 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Palisades Park NJ employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Any esthetician college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Palisades Park NJ salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And finally, consult the New Jersey school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  A number of esthetician schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal 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 dream is to start a Palisades Park 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 regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.

Is Plenty of Live Training Provided?  Learning and perfecting esthetician skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty academy offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician program, it's essential that he or she receives aid in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid develop relationships with Palisades Park NJ businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  Many esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an alternative until you learn what financial help may be available.

Find Out How to Become an Esthetician in Palisades Park

Enroll in the Right Palisades Park Esthetician Training

Locating and enrolling in the ideal esthetician school is essential to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the responses you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional esthetician in Palisades Park New Jersey.

 

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