How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Phoenix MD

How to Find the Right Esthetics School near Phoenix Maryland

Phoenix MD esthetician client with cucumber facial Now that you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Phoenix MD, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right program. It’s imperative that the school you select not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be somewhat confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We’ll talk a bit further concerning that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Phoenix residence. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when evaluating prospective schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not automatically the ideal choice. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are offered.

What is Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Phoenix MD Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human body look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states require that you undergo some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Phoenix MD beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gotten experience and a clientele, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many titles and work in a wide range of specializations including:

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

As previously stated, in most states practicing 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 employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Esthetician Degrees

Phoenix MD esthetician client with face mask There are essentially two options available 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 normally require 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 trained in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you wish to concentrate on just one area, for instance esthetics. A degree program will also most likely feature management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Phoenix MD business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you go with, it’s important to make certain that it’s recognized by the Maryland Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only approve schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the following section.

Online Esthetics Schools

woman attending esthetician school online in Phoenix MD Online esthetician programs are convenient for Phoenix MD students who are working full time and have family commitments that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of online beauty school programs available that can be accessed via a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are often fast paced given that many programs are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a considerable portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not devoting many hours away from your home or commuting back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s vital that the program you pick can provide internship training in area salons and parlors to ensure that you also get the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to acquire the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Esthetics Programs

Phoenix MD models benefit from esthetic treatments Following is a series of questions that you need to research for any esthetician training program you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Phoenix home, together with the price of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have put together several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the esthetician school you choose 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 measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in 21131 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Phoenix MD employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any esthetician institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent 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 referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Phoenix MD salon owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, consult the Maryland school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints 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 facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often 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 ambition is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to open a Phoenix MD beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you require.

Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting esthetician skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So search for other schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from an esthetician program, it’s essential that she or he gets aid in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with Phoenix MD employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which salons and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, 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 Assistance Offered? The majority of esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an alternative until you learn what financial assistance may be available.

Attending Esthetician School Near Phoenix MD?

Perhaps you live in the Phoenix Maryland 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.

Phoenix, Maryland

Phoenix is an unincorporated community located in Baltimore County in the State of Maryland in the United States of America. It is located at latitude 39°30'59" North, longitude 76°36'59" West.[1] The United States Postal Service has assigned Phoenix the ZIP code 21131.

Phoenix has an elementary school, Jacksonville Elementary. It also has the Jacksonville Senior Center. The center hosts a variety of activities for seniors age 60 and over and is open five days a week. There is a fitness studio, multipurpose room with kitchen, classrooms, and staff and council offices.

Opportunities for shopping include the community's Manor Shopping Center, with a Safeway grocery store, a McDonald's, a 7-Eleven, Rite-Aid, Bank of America, Bagelmeister, Strapasta Trattoria, and a liquor store. Phoenix is also served by a second shopping center, Paper Mill Village, home to SunTrust Bank, Bradley's Liquor Store, Scratch and Sniff Pet Supplies, Companion Animal Care Center, the Cake Shop, the Jacksonville Pharmacy, and several doctors' offices. A second grocery store, Shoprite is adjacent to Paper Mill Village. The town also has two gas stations, a volunteer fire company, and a post office.

Pick the Right Esthetician School near Phoenix MD

Finding and enrolling in the ideal esthetician school is imperative to obtain the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the academy and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your new career as a professional esthetician in Phoenix MD.