How to Select the Best Aesthetician College Near Springettsbury Pennsylvania

Now that you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Springettsbury PA, the process begins to search for and enroll in the best program. It's important that the program you pick not only furnishes the proper instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be rather confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Springettsbury home. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when reviewing prospective schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the right choice. There are several other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the aesthetician schools you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what kinds of training programs are offered.

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Esthetician Degrees

There are essentially 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 generally require 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 trained in each of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you want to focus on just one area, for instance esthetics. A degree program will also likely incorporate management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Springettsbury PA business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you opt for, it's essential to make sure that it's certified by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only approve schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the upcoming segment.

Online Esthetician Training

Online esthetician schools are convenient for Springettsbury PA students who are employed full-time and have family responsibilities that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of online cosmetology school programs available that can be attended via a personal computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More traditional beauty schools are often fast paced due to the fact that many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a substantial amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you're not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or travelling to and from classes. On the other hand, it's imperative that the training program you pick can provide internship training in local salons and parlors in order that you also receive the hands-on training necessary 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 industry. So don't forget if you decide to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Esthetician Degree Programs

Following 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 relative to your Springettsbury home, as well as the cost of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have put together some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the Esthetician Program Accredited? It's important to make certain that the esthetician school you choose 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 typically are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Springettsbury PA employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Each esthetician institute 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 references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Springettsbury PA salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And finally, check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Many esthetician schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention 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 aspiration is to open a Springettsbury PA beauty salon, then you want 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 weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you need.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Studying and mastering esthetician techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  When a student graduates from an esthetician program, it's essential that she or he gets help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with Springettsbury PA businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  Most esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an alternative before you determine what financial aid may be offered.

Find Out How to Become an Aesthetician in Springettsbury

Enroll in the Right Springettsbury Esthetician Program

Choosing and enrolling in the right esthetician program is imperative to receive the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A good 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 begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional esthetician in Springettsbury Pennsylvania.

 

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