How to Select the Right Aesthetician Classes Near Staunton Virginia

Since you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Staunton VA, the task begins to locate and enroll in the best program. It's imperative that the program you pick not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be rather confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don't be, because the names are essentially 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 Staunton residence. Tuition will also be an important consideration when reviewing prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not automatically the right option. There are many other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the aesthetician schools you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what kinds of courses are offered.

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Esthetician Certificates and Degrees

There are primarily two pathways offered to receive esthetician training and a credential after 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 complete, while an Associate's degree usually takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you want to specialize in just one area, such as esthetics. A degree program will also most likely feature management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Staunton VA business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you decide on, it's important to make certain that it's approved by the Virginia Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the benefits of accreditation for the school you decide on in the following segment.

Online Esthetician Classes

Online esthetician programs are convenient for Staunton VA students who are employed full-time and have family obligations that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of online beauty school programs available that can be attended through a personal computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More conventional beauty programs are typically fast paced since many programs are as short as six or eight months. This means that a considerable portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you are not spending numerous hours outside of your home or driving to and from classes. On the other hand, it's essential that the program you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors to ensure that you also get the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it's difficult to acquire the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Esthetics Degree Programs

Below is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any esthetician training school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Staunton residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly 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 narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Esthetician Program Accredited? It's important to make sure that the esthetician school you choose 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 guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Staunton 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?  Every esthetician college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Staunton VA salon owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And finally, check with the Virginia school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Some esthetician schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your dream is to open a Staunton 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 regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you require.

Is Plenty of Live Training Provided?  Practicing and refining esthetician skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  When a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it's important that he or she receives assistance in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with Staunton VA employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which salons and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  Almost all esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and identify 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 too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an alternative until you learn what financial assistance may be offered.

Find Out How to Become an Esthetician in Staunton

Enroll in the Best Staunton Esthetician Course

Locating and enrolling in the right esthetician college is essential to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Don't forget to organize all of the information you receive from the beauty 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 certain that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, 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 selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are ready to begin your new career as a professional esthetician in Staunton Virginia.

 

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