How to Pick the Right Aesthetician College Near Gastonia North Carolina

Now that you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Gastonia NC, the process begins to find and enroll in the right program. It's essential that the school you pick not only furnishes the necessary instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be somewhat confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Gastonia residence. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when evaluating potential schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not always the best option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the aesthetician schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what kinds of training programs are available.

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Esthetics Training Requirements

Esthetics programs, which are available through dedicated schools of esthetics, career colleges or schools of cosmetology, must meet the requirements set forth by each state’s board of cosmetology. Most states recognize esthetics programs that consist of 600 hours of coursework and practical training as meeting the requirements for licensure, although a number of states require more hours while others require significantly fewer. For example, esthetician license candidates in Wisconsin must complete a program that is at least 450 hours long, while candidates in Indiana must complete a program consisting of at least 700 hours. Esthetics programs blend theory and practical study to introduce students to everything from skin histology and sanitation practices to the safe application of facial products and makeup. These programs also include coursework that covers the business, ethics and professional standards of the esthetics industry.

Esthetician Job Description

Estheticians (or aestheticians) are skin care specialists who typically work in Gastonia North Carolina spas and salons as well as resorts and medical facilities to provide a variety of treatments for their clients. Some of the typical duties of an esthetician include performing deep skin cleansing and treatments, hair removal, and massages. Estheticians also recommend skincare treatments, products, and regimens to their clients. Many estheticians are self-employed, which allows them to set their schedules and work where they wish. However, these professionals still often need to work evenings and weekends. These skin care specialists also spend much of their time standing and may be exposed to harmful chemicals. Certified estheticians have excellent customer service and communication skills. They're adept at time management, observation and monitoring and are competent in understanding and using the tools necessary for facial procedures and extractions. Certified estheticians are familiar with medical, spreadsheets, and word processing software. They present a professional appearance and have the physical fitness to stand for prolonged periods of time. A career in esthetics generally requires working evening and weekend hours.

Online Esthetics Training

Online esthetician classes are advantageous for Gastonia NC students who are employed full time and have family commitments that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are many online beauty school programs available that can be attended through a home computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are frequently fast paced given that many programs are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a large portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not spending numerous hours away from your home or driving to and from classes. On the other hand, it's imperative that the school you pick can provide internship training in local salons and parlors in order that you also get the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it's difficult to acquire the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Esthetician Trade Schools

Following is a series of questions that you should look into for any esthetician training school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Gastonia residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt 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. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Esthetician Program Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the esthetician college you enroll in 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 comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Gastonia NC businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Each esthetician institute 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 references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Gastonia NC salon owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And finally, contact the North Carolina school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Some esthetician schools offer programs that are broad 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 typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you decide on a school that focuses on 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 dream is to open a Gastonia NC 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 seeking will not deliver the training you require.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided?  Learning and refining esthetician techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty program offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So search for other schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from an esthetician program, it's imperative that she or he receives aid in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid develop relationships with Gastonia NC businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask 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 respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  Many esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an alternative until you find out what financial help may be available.

Learn How to Become an Aesthetician in Gastonia

Enroll in the Best Gastonia Esthetician Program

Picking and enrolling in the right esthetician college is important to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to organize all of the responses you get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and answer 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. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional esthetician in Gastonia North Carolina.

 

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