How to Select the Right Esthetician Program Near Bay Shore New York
Now that you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Bay Shore NY, the process begins to find and enroll in the best program. It's imperative that the school you select not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be a little bit puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Bay Shore home. Tuition will also be an important factor when evaluating potential schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not automatically the best choice. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the aesthetician schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what types of programs are offered.
It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Esthetician Career Below!
Esthetician Degrees and Certificates
There are essentially two avenues 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 generally call for 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate's degree commonly takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you want to focus on just one area, such as esthetics. A degree program will also most likely incorporate management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Bay Shore NY business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you choose, it's important to make sure that it's recognized by the New York Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only approve schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, including 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 Schools
Online esthetician programs are accommodating for Bay Shore NY students who are working full-time and have family commitments that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be attended via a personal computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are typically fast paced because many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a considerable portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours away from your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it's important that the school you choose can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors in order that you also obtain the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it's difficult to gain the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is available in your area.
What to Ask Esthetics Programs
Below is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any esthetician training program you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Bay Shore home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Esthetician Program Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the esthetician college you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Bay Shore NY employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any esthetician school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good 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, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Bay Shore NY salon owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the New York school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of esthetician schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific 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 pick a school that focuses on 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 vision is to launch a Bay Shore NY beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator as well. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Studying and mastering esthetician skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a beauty program provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So look for other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it's imperative that she or he receives assistance in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develop relationships with Bay Shore NY employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an alternative before you determine what financial help may be available.
More Info on How to Become an Aesthetician in Bay Shore
Enroll in the Right Bay Shore Esthetician Course
Locating and enrolling in the right esthetician college is imperative to receive the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the academy and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional esthetician in Bay Shore New York.
Bay Shore Esthetician Courses Online | Bay Shore Esthetician Classes