How to Choose the Best Aesthetician Program Near Laurel Virginia

Now that you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Laurel VA, the task starts to locate and enroll in the ideal program. It's essential that the program you choose not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be rather confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Laurel home. Tuition will also be an important aspect when assessing prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the right choice. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the aesthetician schools you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what types of programs are available.

It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Esthetician Career Below!

Esthetics Degrees and Certificates

There are primarily two pathways offered to receive esthetician training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate's degree. Certificate programs typically 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 wish to specialize in just one area, for example esthetics. A degree program will also likely include management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Laurel VA business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you opt for, it's important to make sure that it's recognized by the Virginia Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only approve schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the upcoming section.

Online Esthetician Classes

Online esthetician programs are accommodating for Laurel VA students who are employed full time and have family commitments that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are many web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be attended via a personal computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More traditional beauty programs are often fast paced due to the fact that many programs are as short as six or eight months. This means that a considerable amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you're not spending numerous hours outside of your home or driving back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it's essential that the school you select can provide internship training in area salons and parlors in order that you also obtain the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it's difficult to acquire the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Esthetics Programs

Following is a list of questions that you should investigate for any esthetician training school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Laurel home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional 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 need to ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Esthetician Program Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the esthetician college you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable 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 Laurel VA employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Each esthetician college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Laurel VA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And last, check with the Virginia school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Some esthetician schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 start a Laurel VA beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator as well. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you require.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided?  Practicing and perfecting esthetician skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it's imperative that she or he gets support in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help develop relationships with Laurel VA businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  Many esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an alternative until you determine what financial aid may be offered.

More Info on How to Become an Aesthetician in Laurel

Enroll in the Best Laurel Esthetician Training

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. Don't forget to compile all of the responses you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your career as a professional esthetician in Laurel Virginia.

 

Laurel Esthetician Schools Online | Laurel Esthetician Programs Near Me