How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Homer AK

How to Choose an Esthetician Program near Homer Alaska

Homer AK esthetician client with cucumber facialSince you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Homer AK, the process begins to search for and enroll in the ideal program. It’s important that the school you choose not only furnishes the proper instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be a little bit confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a little bit further about that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Homer home. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when evaluating prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not always the right option. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are offered.

What is Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Homer AKCosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful with the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states mandate that you go through some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Homer AK beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gotten experience and a client base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many titles and work in a wide range of specialties including:

  • Estheticians
  • Hairdressers
  • Hairstylists
  • Beauticians
  • Barbers
  • Manicurists
  • Nail Technicians
  • Makeup Artists
  • Hair Coloring Specialists
  • Electrolysis Technicians

As formerly mentioned, in most states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption. Only those conducting more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Esthetics Certificates and Degrees

Homer AK esthetician client with face maskThere are primarily two options offered to get esthetician training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs normally take 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 trained in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you prefer to concentrate on just one area, for example esthetics. A degree program will also likely feature management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Homer AK business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you go with, it’s important to make sure that it’s recognized by the Alaska Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only certify schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, including 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 Esthetics Classes

woman attending esthetician school online in Homer AKOnline esthetician programs are accommodating for Homer AK students who are employed full time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based beauty school programs offered that can be accessed by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty schools are often fast paced due to the fact that many programs are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you’re not devoting many hours outside of your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it’s imperative that the program you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors to ensure that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to obtain the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Esthetician Trade Schools

Homer AK models benefit from esthetic treatmentsFollowing is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any esthetician training program you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Homer residence, together with the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish 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 need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the esthetician training program you choose 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 measure up to their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in 99603 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Homer AK businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Any esthetician school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Homer AK salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And last, check with the Alaska school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  A number of 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, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your goal is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to open a Homer AK beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided?  Studying and refining esthetician techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. So try to find other schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from an esthetician school, it’s imperative that she or he gets assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help develop relationships with Homer AK businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  The majority of esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out 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 also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an alternative until you determine what financial assistance may be provided.

Attending Esthetician School Near Homer AK?

Perhaps you live in the Homer Alaska area, or have found a school that you will commute to or even relocate to attend.  Either way, following is some interesting background information about the location of your new esthetician program.

Homer, Alaska

Homer is a city in Kenai Peninsula Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. It is 218 miles southwest of Anchorage. According to the 2010 Census, the population is 5,003, up from 3,946 in 2000. Long known as The "Halibut Fishing Capital of the World." Homer is also nicknamed "the end of the road," and more recently, "the cosmic hamlet by the sea."

Homer is on the shore of Kachemak Bay on the southwest side of the Kenai Peninsula. Its distinguishing feature is the Homer Spit, a narrow 4.5 mi (7.2 km)) long gravel bar that extends into the bay, on which is located the Homer Harbor.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 22.4 square miles (58 km2), of which 10.6 square miles (27 km2) is land and 11.9 square miles (31 km2) is water. The total area is 52.83% water.

Pick the Right Esthetics College near Homer AK

Picking and enrolling in the right esthetician college is essential to obtain the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the responses you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are ready to begin your career as a professional esthetician in Homer AK.

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