How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Circle Pines MN

How to Find the Right Esthetics Training Program near Circle Pines Minnesota

Circle Pines MN esthetician client with cucumber facial Since you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Circle Pines MN, the task starts to find and enroll in the ideal program. It’s important that the school you pick not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be somewhat confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We’ll talk a bit more concerning that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Circle Pines home. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when reviewing prospective schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not automatically the best choice. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are offered.

Definition of Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Circle Pines MN Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human anatomy look more attractive with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states require that you undergo some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Circle Pines MN beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gotten experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many names 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 earlier stated, in most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Esthetician Degrees

Circle Pines MN esthetician client with face mask There are essentially two avenues offered to obtain 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 instructed in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you wish to focus on just one area, for example esthetics. A degree program will also probably include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Circle Pines MN business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you decide on, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s approved by the Minnesota Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only certify schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the next section.

Online Esthetician Programs

woman attending esthetician school online in Circle Pines MN Online esthetician classes are convenient for Circle Pines MN students who are employed full time and have family obligations that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based beauty school programs available that can be accessed through a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology programs are often fast paced since many courses are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a substantial amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are covering the same volume of material, but you’re not spending numerous hours away from your home or commuting back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s essential that the training program you select can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to gain the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Esthetics Training Programs

Circle Pines MN models benefit from esthetic treatments Following is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any esthetician training program you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Circle Pines residence, together with the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt 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 must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the esthetician college you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in 55014 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Circle Pines MN businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may 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 industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Circle Pines MN salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. Finally, contact the Minnesota 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 Focus? Some esthetician schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you pick 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 aspiration is to start a Circle Pines MN beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting esthetician skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty academy furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. So look for other schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from an esthetician school, it’s crucial that he or she gets aid in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with Circle Pines MN businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad 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 investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify 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 with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an option until you determine what financial help may be offered.

Attending Esthetician School Near Circle Pines MN?

Perhaps you live in the Circle Pines Minnesota 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.

Circle Pines, Minnesota

Centennial Schools (Independent School District #12) serves the community of Circle Pines and the surrounding cities of Blaine, Lino Lakes, Centerville, and Lexington. Children in Circle Pines attend Centennial Elementary or Golden Lake Elementary before continuing their education at Centennial Middle School and Centennial High School.

The current Mayor of Circle Pines is Dave Bartholomay. Current council members include Mike Schweigert, Dean Goldberg, Jennifer Rauner and Matt Percy. The current City Administrator is Patrick Antonen, who is responsible for running the city on a day-to-day basis.

Circle Pines was founded as a planned cooperative community in which homeowners owned equal shares in the cooperative association which owned and developed the community. The name was selected because the cooperative movement in the United States in the 1940s used a circle encompassing two pine trees as its symbol. Although the community is no longer governed as a co–op, a municipally–owned gas utility remains as an operational memorial to Circle Pines' community heritage.

Find the Right Esthetics Training Program near Circle Pines MN

Selecting and enrolling in the ideal esthetician college is imperative to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive 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 information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your new career as a professional esthetician in Circle Pines MN.