How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Erie MI

How to Enroll In an Esthetics Course near Erie Michigan

Erie MI esthetician client with cucumber facial Now that you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Erie MI, the task begins to find and enroll in the best program. It’s imperative that the program you choose not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be somewhat confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll speak a little bit more regarding that in the following segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Erie residence. Tuition will also be an important aspect when reviewing potential schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not automatically the best option. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as 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 talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are offered.

What is Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Erie MI Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more attractive with the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic may 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 go through some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Erie MI beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a client base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients either in their own residences or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go 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 already mentioned, in most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those offering more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Esthetics Degrees

Erie MI esthetician client with face mask There are basically two pathways offered to receive esthetician training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually 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 major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you prefer to concentrate on just one area, such as esthetics. A degree program will also most likely feature management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Erie MI business. Higher degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you decide on, it’s essential to make certain that it’s approved by the Michigan Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the next segment.

Online Esthetician Courses

woman attending esthetician school online in Erie MI Online esthetician programs are advantageous for Erie MI students who are employed full time and have family commitments that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed by means of a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are often fast paced due to the fact that many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a substantial amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you’re not spending numerous hours away from your home or travelling 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 in order that you also get the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to acquire the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Esthetician Training Courses

Erie MI 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 discussed, the location of the school relative to your Erie residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the School Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the esthetician college you select 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 assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in 48133 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Erie MI employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every esthetician college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Erie MI salon owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And last, contact the Michigan school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? A number of esthetician schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing 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 essential that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your intention 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 launch a Erie MI beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you need.

Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Learning and refining esthetician skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty program provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. So search for alternate schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician program, it’s essential that he or she receives assistance in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with Erie MI employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Almost all esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an option before you find out what financial aid may be available.

Attending Esthetician School Near Erie MI?

Perhaps you live in the Erie Michigan 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.

Erie Township, Michigan

Erie Township is a civil township of Monroe County in the U.S. state of Michigan Within the Toledo Metropolitan Area. The population was 4,517 at the 2010 census. The township is served by Mason Consolidated Schools. The city of Luna Pier sits outside the northeast corner of the township. The township is also home to the unincorporated community of Erie, situated at the intersection of Erie Rd and M-125.

Erie was started in 1790 by Métis moving south from Monroe. Early on, a log church named St. Joseph sur la baie Miami was built here. Father Gabriel Richard often would conduct Mass here. When a post office was established here in 1827, it was given the name of Bay Settlement.[3]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 29.7 square miles (77 km2), of which 24.1 square miles (62 km2) is land and 5.6 square miles (15 km2) (18.74%) is water. Erie Township also has jurisdiction over the Lost Peninsula and joint control with Toledo, Ohio over Turtle Island in Lake Erie.

Find the Right Esthetician Training Program near Erie MI

Picking and enrolling in the right esthetician program is important to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Don’t forget to collect all of the information you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional esthetician in Erie MI.