How to Enroll In the Right Aesthetician Classes Near Lansdale Pennsylvania
Since you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Lansdale PA, the task starts to search for and enroll in the best program. It's imperative that the program you pick not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be rather puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Lansdale residence. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when reviewing potential schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not always the ideal choice. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the aesthetician schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what kinds of programs are offered.
It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Esthetician Career Below!
Esthetics Degrees
There are primarily 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 typically require 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 trained in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you prefer to specialize in just one area, for example esthetics. A degree program will also probably feature management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Lansdale PA business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you choose, it's imperative to make sure that it's recognized by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify 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 decide on in the next segment.
Online Esthetician Programs
Online esthetician programs are advantageous for Lansdale PA students who are employed full-time and have family obligations that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of online beauty school programs offered that can be attended via a home computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More conventional beauty programs are often fast paced because many courses are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a substantial portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you're not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or commuting back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it's important that the school you pick can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it's impossible to acquire the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
What to Ask Aesthetician Training Courses
Following is a list of questions that you should investigate for any esthetician training school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Lansdale residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have put together several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Esthetician School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the esthetician school you choose 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Lansdale PA businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably 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 exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Lansdale PA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. Finally, contact the Pennsylvania 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 Specialty? A number of esthetician schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance 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 specializes in your area of interest. Since your intention is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a Lansdale PA 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 rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and mastering esthetician techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So search for other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it's imperative that she or he receives help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with Lansdale PA employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which salons and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Most esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an option until you determine what financial assistance may be available.
Learn How to Become an Esthetician in Lansdale
Enroll in the Right Lansdale Esthetician Training
Picking and enrolling in the right esthetician college is important to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to organize all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A sensible beginning 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 begin with that base, 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 proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your career as a professional esthetician in Lansdale Pennsylvania.
Lansdale Aesthetician Schools | Lansdale Esthetician Schools