How to Enroll In the Best Aesthetician Program Near Summerville South Carolina
Since you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Summerville SC, the task starts to search for and enroll in the ideal program. It's essential that the school you choose not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Summerville residence. Tuition will also be an important factor when evaluating prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not always the best choice. 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 within this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what types of courses are available.
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Esthetician Training Programs
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 Summerville South 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 Schools
Online esthetician programs are advantageous for Summerville SC students who are working full time and have family commitments that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous online cosmetology school programs offered that can be accessed through a desktop computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More conventional beauty schools are typically fast paced given that many courses are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a substantial portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same amount of material, but you are not spending many hours outside of your home or commuting back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it's vital that the school you pick can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it's impossible to gain the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So don't forget if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is available in your area.
Questions to Ask Aesthetician Schools
Following is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any esthetician training program you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Summerville home, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Esthetician School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the esthetician college you choose 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically 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, numerous Summerville SC businesses 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? Each esthetician college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Summerville SC salon owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. Finally, contact the South 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? A number of 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, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often 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 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 desire is to open a Summerville SC 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 pursuing will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Learning and refining esthetician skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty academy offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. So look for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it's essential that he or she receives help in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid develop relationships with Summerville SC employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which salons and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Many esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an option before you learn what financial assistance may be offered.
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Enroll in the Right Summerville Esthetician Course
Locating and enrolling in the ideal esthetician program is essential to get the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the responses you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and address 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 choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional esthetician in Summerville South Carolina.
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