How to Select the Right Aesthetician College Near Westfield New Jersey
Since you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Westfield NJ, the task starts to locate and enroll in the best program. It's imperative that the school you pick not only provides the appropriate education for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be rather confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Westfield residence. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when reviewing possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the best option. There are many other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the aesthetician schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what kinds of courses are offered.
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Esthetics Training Programs
An esthetics program may be found in a school of cosmetology, a dedicated esthetics school or, in some cases, a junior college. An esthetics program’s length is generally determined by the state in which it is located, as each state board of cosmetology sets minimum requirements for the number of hours of training an esthetics program must provide to meet the state’s licensing requirements. However, it is also quite common for esthetics programs to offer more extensive study beyond what is required for licensing purposes. In general, an esthetics program consists of about 600 hours, a common requirement in many states. However, a number of states require less than 600 hours and perhaps just as many require more than 600. Most state boards of cosmetology maintain lists of approved programs of esthetics within the state, while others recognize all programs that meet the state’s minimum clock-hour requirement. A comprehensive esthetics program includes instruction not only in esthetic treatment procedures and services, but in areas such as the structure of the skin and its function, disorders of the skin, and professional business skills.
Esthetician Job Description
As skilled skincare experts, estheticians need to be knowledgeable of everything from skin histology and physiology to bacteriology and sanitation protocols. As beauty professionals, estheticians must be trained to perform the services that promote healthy, radiant skin – including everything from hair removal methods, pore cleansing and extractions to microdermabrasion, makeup artistry, chemical peels, and light therapy. As beauty and wellness experts, people also turn to estheticians for consultations, advice, and tips for home skincare regimens. They may recommend products, educate clients, and recommend esthetic procedures based on their clients’ needs and wants. Their work environments can include Westfield New Jersey spas, resorts, salons, hospitals, nursing facilities and dermatologist offices.
Online Esthetician Programs
Online esthetician schools are convenient for Westfield NJ students who are employed full-time and have family commitments that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be accessed via a personal computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are often fast paced due to the fact that many courses are as short as six or eight months. This means that a considerable portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you're not spending many hours outside of your home or travelling to and from classes. However, it's essential that the school you select can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it's difficult to gain the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So don't forget if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Esthetics Training Programs
Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any esthetician training program you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Westfield home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Esthetician Program Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the esthetician training program you select 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring 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, a number of Westfield NJ employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each esthetician school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Westfield NJ salon owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And finally, consult the New Jersey school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of esthetician schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly 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 intention 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 aspiration is to start a Westfield NJ beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator as well. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering esthetician techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it's important that she or he gets assistance in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with Westfield NJ employers that are seeking qualified 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. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad 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. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Talk to 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 accessible to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an option before you learn what financial aid may be available.
Find Out How to Become an Aesthetician in Westfield
Enroll in the Best Westfield Esthetician Training
Choosing and enrolling in the right esthetician program is important to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to consolidate all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to filter 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 start your new career as a professional esthetician in Westfield New Jersey.
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