How to Select the Right Esthetician Training Near Oakton Virginia

Now that you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Oakton VA, the process starts to search for and enroll in the right program. It's imperative that the school you pick not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be a little bit puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Oakton residence. Tuition will also be a critical factor when reviewing potential schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the right choice. There are various other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the aesthetician schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what types of courses are available.

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Esthetics Degrees

There are primarily two avenues offered to obtain esthetician training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate's degree. Certificate programs generally take 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 all of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you wish to focus on just one area, for instance esthetics. A degree program will also probably include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Oakton VA business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you go with, it's essential to make sure that it's approved by the Virginia Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only approve schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the next segment.

Online Esthetician Courses

Online esthetician schools are convenient for Oakton VA students who are working full-time and have family obligations that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous online beauty school programs available that can be attended through a desktop computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are typically fast paced because many programs are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a considerable amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you're not spending many hours outside of your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it's imperative that the program you pick can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors in order that you also get the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it's difficult to gain the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Esthetician Degree Programs

Below is a series of questions that you will want to research for any esthetician training school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Oakton home, as well as the cost of tuition, will probably 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 narrowed 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 supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Esthetician Program Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the esthetician training program you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for getting 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 Oakton VA employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Any esthetician institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Oakton VA salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with the Virginia school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Some esthetician schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing 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 typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention 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 Oakton VA 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 rated school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you need.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided?  Learning and mastering esthetician skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty academy furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for acquiring your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from an esthetician school, it's imperative that he or she receives assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with Oakton VA employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which salons and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  Most esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may 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 meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an option until you find out what financial help may be offered.

Find Out How to Become an Aesthetician in Oakton

Enroll in the Right Oakton Esthetician Course

Locating and enrolling in the right esthetician school is essential to receive the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional esthetician in Oakton Virginia.

 

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