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What to Ask Esthetics Training Programs
Following is a series of questions that you should look into for any esthetician training school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Spokane home, as well as the cost of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Esthetician Program Accredited? It's important to make certain that the esthetician training program you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Spokane WA employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each esthetician college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references 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. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Spokane WA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, contact the Washington school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full 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, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you pick 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 respected for that program. If your dream is to open a Spokane WA beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator as well. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Learning and refining esthetician skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. So look for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from an esthetician school, it's imperative that she or he receives help in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with Spokane WA businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which salons and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, 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 regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Most esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might get approved 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 meets each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an option before you find out what financial aid may be available.