How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Perry IA

How to Find the Right Esthetician School near Perry Iowa

Perry IA esthetician client with cucumber facial Since you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Perry IA, the process begins to search for and enroll in the ideal program. It’s essential that the program you pick not only furnishes the proper training for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be a little bit unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We’ll talk a bit more concerning that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Perry home. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when evaluating possible schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not automatically the best choice. There are various other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are offered.

Defining Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Perry IA Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human anatomy look more beautiful with the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you undergo some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Perry IA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a customer base, open their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have 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 already stated, in most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption. Only those conducting more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Esthetician Degrees and Certificates

Perry IA esthetician client with face mask There are essentially two pathways offered to receive esthetician training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually take 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree commonly takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in each of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you want to specialize in just one area, for instance esthetics. A degree program will also probably incorporate management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Perry IA business. Higher degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you choose, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s recognized by the Iowa Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only approve schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the next segment.

Online Esthetics Courses

woman attending esthetician school online in Perry IA Online esthetician schools are accommodating for Perry IA students who are employed full time and have family responsibilities that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are many online beauty school programs available that can be attended via a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are frequently fast paced since many programs are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same amount of material, but you are not devoting many hours outside of your home or travelling to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s vital that the school you select can provide internship training in local salons and parlors in order that you also receive the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to obtain the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

What to Ask Esthetician Trade Schools

Perry IA models benefit from esthetic treatments Below is a list of questions that you need to research for any esthetician training program you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Perry residence, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely 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 preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the School Accredited? It’s essential 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in 50220 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Perry IA businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each esthetician school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Perry IA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. Finally, consult the Iowa school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Some esthetician schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your ambition is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to start a Perry IA beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you need.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting esthetician techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty program furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from an esthetician school, it’s crucial that he or she receives aid in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with Perry IA employers that are looking for skilled 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, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide 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. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an option until you learn what financial assistance may be offered.

Attending Esthetician School Near Perry IA?

Perhaps you live in the Perry Iowa 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.

Perry, Iowa

Perry is a city in Dallas County, Iowa, United States, along the North Raccoon River. The population was 7,702 at the 2010 Census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.18 square miles (10.83 km2), of which, 4.17 square miles (10.80 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.[1]

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 7,702 people, 2,792 households, and 1,920 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,847.0 inhabitants per square mile (713.1/km2). There were 3,180 housing units at an average density of 762.6 per square mile (294.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 79.1% White, 1.8% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 14.1% from other races, and 3.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 40.0% of the population.

Enroll in the Right Esthetics Program near Perry IA

Choosing and enrolling in the ideal esthetician program is important to get the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the responses you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your career as a professional esthetician in Perry IA.