How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Pocasset MA

How to Find the Right Esthetician College near Pocasset Massachusetts

Pocasset MA esthetician client with cucumber facial Since you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Pocasset MA, the process begins to find and enroll in the best program. It’s important that the school you pick not only furnishes the proper training for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you may be a little bit puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll speak a bit more about that in the upcoming segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Pocasset home. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when assessing prospective 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 various other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are available.

Defining Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Pocasset MA Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human anatomy look more beautiful through 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 basically 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 kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Pocasset 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, open their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles and are employed in a wide variety of specializations including:

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

As previously stated, in most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Esthetician Degrees

Pocasset MA esthetician client with face mask There are basically two avenues 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 normally take 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate’s degree usually takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you wish to concentrate on just one area, for example esthetics. A degree program will also likely feature management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Pocasset MA business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you choose, it’s essential to make sure that it’s recognized by the Massachusetts Board of Cosmetology. Many states only approve schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the upcoming section.

Online Esthetics Schools

woman attending esthetician school online in Pocasset MA Online esthetician schools are convenient for Pocasset MA students who are working full-time and have family obligations that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous online cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended through a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty programs are often fast paced since many courses are as short as six or eight months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not spending many hours outside of your home or driving back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s vital that the training program you pick can provide internship training in area salons and parlors in order that you also receive the hands-on training needed 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 field. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Esthetics Schools

Pocasset MA models benefit from esthetic treatments Below is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any esthetician training school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Pocasset home, together with the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make certain that the esthetician college 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 measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in 02559 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Pocasset MA employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every esthetician institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Pocasset MA salon owners or managers, or anyone 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 considered. Finally, consult 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 Focus? Many esthetician schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your intention is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to open a Pocasset 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 rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining esthetician techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty academy provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. So search for other schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from an esthetician school, it’s important that she or he receives support in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with Pocasset MA employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad 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 looking at have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and learn 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 as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an option before you learn what financial help may be provided.

Attending Esthetician School Near Pocasset MA?

Perhaps you live in the Pocasset 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.

Pocasset, Massachusetts

The village of Pocasset is a census-designated place (CDP) in the town of Bourne in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States, located on Buzzards Bay. The population was 2,851 at the 2010 census.[1]

Pocasset is located in the southwestern part of the town of Bourne. It is bordered to the north by the villages of Bourne and Monument Beach, to the east by the Massachusetts Route 28 highway; to the south by the village of Cataumet and Red Brook Pond and Red Brook Harbor; and to the west by the northern end of Buzzards Bay.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 9.8 square miles (25.3 km2). 3.7 square miles (9.5 km2) of it is land, and 6.1 square miles (15.8 km2) of it (62.42%) is water.[1]

Pick the Right Esthetics Program near Pocasset MA

Finding and enrolling in the right esthetician school is essential to receive the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Don’t forget to collect 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 contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the academy and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to start your new career as a professional esthetician in Pocasset MA.