How to Pick the Best Aesthetician College Near Lower Southampton Pennsylvania
Since you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Lower Southampton PA, the process begins to locate and enroll in the best program. It's important that the school you choose not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be rather puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Lower Southampton home. Tuition will additionally be an important aspect when evaluating potential schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the best choice. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the aesthetician schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what types of programs are offered.
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Esthetician 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 provide a wide range of beauty services to help their Lower Southampton Pennsylvania clients look and feel better. This includes improving the quality of the skin (including the treatment of skin disorders), hair removal, permanent makeup application, and facial massage. Some types of estheticians, like medical estheticians, provide highly specialized procedures that require detailed training in order for it to be done safely and effectively. Medical estheticians can help individuals suffering from serious skin disorders, burns, and other trauma, and to help with pre and post-operative surgery affecting the health of their skin. Estheticians work closely with their clients in a friendly and positive manner, so an enthusiastic attitude and desire to help people is an excellent attribute for an aspiring esthetician to possess. Some of the basic duties an esthetician may perform will include such tasks as:
- Assessing a patient’s needs
- Chemical peels
- Laser treatments
- Waxing
- Facials
- Massage of the head and neck
- Microdermabrasion
Online Esthetician Programs
Online esthetician programs are advantageous for Lower Southampton PA students who are employed full-time and have family obligations 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 accessed via a personal computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More traditional beauty programs are typically fast paced since many courses are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a considerable portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not devoting many hours outside of your home or commuting to and from classes. On the other hand, it's vital that the training program you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it's impossible to acquire the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is available in your area.
Questions to Ask Esthetician Degree Programs
Following is a series of questions that you should look into for any esthetician training program you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Lower Southampton residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have compiled some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Esthetician Program Accredited? It's important to make sure that the esthetician school 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 measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Lower Southampton PA employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals 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 profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Lower Southampton PA salon owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many esthetician schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to launch a Lower Southampton PA beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator as well. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering esthetician skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a beauty academy offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for developing your skills. So try to find alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it's essential that he or she receives help in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with Lower Southampton PA employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which salons and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? 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. Speak with a counselor and learn 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 available to students as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an alternative until you learn what financial help may be offered.
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Enroll in the Best Lower Southampton Esthetician Training
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal esthetician school is imperative to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your new career as a professional esthetician in Lower Southampton Pennsylvania.
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