How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Howard Lake MN

How to Choose an Esthetics Training Program near Howard Lake Minnesota

Howard Lake MN esthetician client with cucumber facial Now that you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Howard Lake MN, the process begins to find and enroll in the ideal program. It’s imperative that the program you choose not only furnishes the necessary instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be a little bit confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We’ll speak a bit more concerning that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Howard Lake residence. Tuition will additionally be an important aspect when assessing prospective schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it’s not always the best choice. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are offered.

Definition of Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Howard Lake MN Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human anatomy look more beautiful with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be almost anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states mandate that you undergo some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Howard Lake MN beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gotten experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many professional 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 practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption. Only those offering 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 become licensed in those states.

Esthetician Certificates and Degrees

Howard Lake MN esthetician client with face mask There are essentially two avenues offered to get 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 normally require 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 each of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you want to focus on just one area, such as esthetics. A degree program will also most likely incorporate management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Howard Lake MN business. Higher degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you go with, it’s essential to make sure that it’s recognized by the Minnesota Board of Cosmetology. Many states only approve schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the next segment.

Online Esthetics Programs

woman attending esthetician school online in Howard Lake MN Online esthetician programs are advantageous for Howard Lake MN students who are employed full time and have family obligations that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed through a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are typically fast paced given that many programs are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you’re not devoting numerous hours away from your home or driving back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s essential that the school you choose can provide internship training in local salons and parlors to ensure that you also get the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is available in your area.

What to Ask Esthetician Degree Programs

Howard Lake MN models benefit from esthetic treatments Following is a list of questions that you need to research for any esthetician training school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Howard Lake residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will most likely 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 choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the School Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the esthetician training program you select 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 comply with their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in 55349 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Howard Lake MN employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every esthetician institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Howard Lake MN 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 suggest others that you had not considered. Finally, consult the Minnesota school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed 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, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your objective 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 dream is to open a Howard Lake MN beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.

Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting esthetician skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty program provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it’s imperative that he or she gets support in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with Howard Lake MN businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available? Almost all esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask 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 is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an alternative until you find out what financial assistance may be available.

Attending Esthetician School Near Howard Lake MN?

Perhaps you live in the Howard Lake 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.

Howard Lake, Minnesota

Howard Lake was platted in 1869, and named after nearby Howard Lake.[9] A post office was established under the name Howard in 1870; the post office was renamed Howard Lake in 1892 and remains in operation.[10] One property in Howard Lake, the 1904 Howard Lake City Hall, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[11]

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 1,962 people, 786 households, and 518 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,108.5 inhabitants per square mile (428.0/km2). There were 865 housing units at an average density of 488.7 per square mile (188.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.5% White, 0.6% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.5% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.7% of the population.

There were 786 households of which 35.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.1% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.98.

Enroll in the Right Esthetics Training Program near Howard Lake MN

Picking and enrolling in the right esthetician college is essential to receive the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Don’t forget to organize all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you decide on 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. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your career as a professional esthetician in Howard Lake MN.