How to Enroll In the Best Esthetician College Near Wheeling West Virginia

Once you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Wheeling WV, the task begins to locate and enroll in the ideal program. It's important that the school you pick not only furnishes the proper instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you might be rather confused 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 type of school. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Wheeling home. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when evaluating possible schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the ideal choice. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the aesthetician schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what types of programs are available.

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Esthetician Degrees

There are basically two options offered to get esthetician training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward an Associate's degree. Certificate programs typically call for 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate's degree ordinarily takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you prefer to focus on just one area, for instance esthetics. A degree program will also probably include management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Wheeling WV business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master's degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you opt for, it's important to make sure that it's recognized by the West Virginia Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you decide on in the next section.

Online Esthetician Classes

Online esthetician schools are accommodating for Wheeling WV students who are working full time and have family responsibilities that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are many online cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed via a desktop computer or laptop at the student's convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are often fast paced given that many programs are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a considerable portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not spending many hours outside of your home or driving to and from classes. On the other hand, it's vital that the training program you pick can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it's impossible to acquire the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So don't forget if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Esthetics Degree Programs

Below is a series of questions that you need to look into for any esthetician training school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Wheeling residence, together with the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish 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 initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.

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

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Any esthetician college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Wheeling WV 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 propose others that you had not thought of. And last, consult the West Virginia school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed 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 particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select 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 dream is to launch a Wheeling WV 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 weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you need.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided?  Studying and mastering esthetician techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty academy offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore look for other schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  Once a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it's essential that he or she receives assistance in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with Wheeling WV employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  The majority of esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Consult with 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 too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an alternative before you determine what financial assistance may be available.

Find Out How to Become an Esthetician in Wheeling

Enroll in the Right Wheeling Esthetician Training

Selecting and enrolling in the ideal esthetician college is imperative to receive the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Don't forget to compile all of the responses you get from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the academy and program you pick are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional esthetician in Wheeling West Virginia.

 

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