How to Choose the Right Esthetician Course Near Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
Once you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Pittsburgh PA, the process begins to locate and enroll in the ideal program. It's essential that the school you choose not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be somewhat unclear about the distinction 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 plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Pittsburgh residence. Tuition will also be a critical factor when evaluating potential schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the best choice. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the aesthetician schools you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what types of courses are offered.
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Esthetics Degrees and Certificates
There are basically two pathways offered to obtain esthetician training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate's degree. Certificate programs normally call for 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate's degree ordinarily takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in all of the main 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 include management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Pittsburgh PA business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you go with, it's imperative to make sure that it's recognized by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the following section.
Online Esthetics Classes
Online esthetician schools are advantageous for Pittsburgh PA students who are working full time and have family commitments that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based beauty school programs offered that can be accessed by means of a personal computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are typically fast paced since many programs 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're not devoting many hours away from your home or driving to and from classes. On the other hand, it's vital that the training program you pick can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so 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 required to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.
Questions to Ask Esthetics Schools
Below is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any esthetician training program you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Pittsburgh residence, together with the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn 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 preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have collected some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Esthetician School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the esthetician school you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified 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 getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Pittsburgh PA businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each esthetician school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Pittsburgh PA salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And finally, contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of esthetician schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a Pittsburgh PA beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator as well. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting esthetician techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a beauty school provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it's imperative that she or he receives support in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with Pittsburgh PA businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might 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 expense, do not omit it as an alternative until you determine what financial assistance may be available.
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Enroll in the Right Pittsburgh Esthetician Training
Locating and enrolling in the ideal esthetician college is imperative to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the responses you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your career as a professional esthetician in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.
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