How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Newton Highlands MA

How to Enroll In an Esthetics College near Newton Highlands Massachusetts

Newton Highlands MA esthetician client with cucumber facial Now that you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Newton Highlands MA, 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 training for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you may be rather puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We’ll speak a little bit more about that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Newton Highlands residence. Tuition will additionally be an important aspect when assessing potential schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not always the right choice. There are various other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are available.

What is Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Newton Highlands MA Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human anatomy look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So naturally 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 basically a cosmetic can be anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states require that you undergo some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Newton Highlands MA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a customer base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing customers either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many professional names and are employed in a wide range of specialties including:

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

As earlier stated, in the majority of states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those offering more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Esthetician Certificates and Degrees

Newton Highlands MA esthetician client with face mask There are essentially two options available to obtain 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 take 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate’s degree ordinarily takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you prefer to concentrate on just one area, such as esthetics. A degree program will also probably feature management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Newton Highlands MA business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you opt for, it’s essential to make sure that it’s certified by the Massachusetts Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only certify schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the next segment.

Online Esthetics Schools

woman attending esthetician school online in Newton Highlands MA Online esthetician classes are advantageous for Newton Highlands MA students who are working full-time and have family commitments that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are many web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed through a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are often fast paced since many courses are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are covering the same volume of material, but you are not spending many hours away from your home or commuting back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s essential that the school you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors to ensure that you also receive the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to obtain the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So make 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

Newton Highlands MA models benefit from esthetic treatments Following is a list of questions that you will want to research for any esthetician training school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Newton Highlands residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly 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 must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the esthetician school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in 02461 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Newton Highlands MA businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any esthetician school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Newton Highlands MA salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints 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 facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you select a school that specializes in 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 launch a Newton Highlands MA beauty salon, then you want 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 seeking will not provide the training you need.

Is Enough Live Training Provided? Learning and mastering esthetician skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty academy furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. So look for other schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it’s important that he or she gets aid in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with Newton Highlands MA businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which salons and organizations they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out 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 accessible to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an alternative until you determine what financial help may be provided.

Attending Esthetician School Near Newton Highlands MA?

Perhaps you live in the Newton Highlands Massachusetts 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.

Newton Highlands, Massachusetts

Newton Highlands' small commercial district runs along Lincoln St., perpendicular to Walnut St. This area, along with a stretch of fine 19th and early 20th century residences, are part of the Newton Highlands Historic District.

Since 1959 the neighborhood has had its own MBTA Green Line station, Newton Highlands Station, close to this commercial center. There also is an annual celebration in June called Village Day, a general celebration for the Newton Highlands community. There is a 5 kilometer road race, crafts and local food is sold, a small carnival is set up, and local bands and musicians often entertain the crowds.

Select the Right Esthetics Vocational School near Newton Highlands MA

Selecting and enrolling in the ideal esthetician program is important to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to consolidate all of the responses you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the academy and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to begin your career as a professional esthetician in Newton Highlands MA.