How to Enroll In an Esthetician Program near Houston Missouri
Once you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Houston MO, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right program. It’s important that the school you choose not only furnishes the appropriate education for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin 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 names are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll talk a bit more regarding that in the upcoming segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Houston home. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when reviewing possible schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not necessarily the right choice. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are available.
Definition of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful through the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are referred to 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 appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states mandate that you undergo some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Houston MO beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a customer base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many titles 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 previously mentioned, in the majority of states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption. Only those offering more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.
Esthetics Degrees
There are essentially two options offered to receive esthetician training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs typically take 12 to 18 months to complete, 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. Briefer 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 in order that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Houston MO business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you go with, it’s essential to make sure that it’s certified by the Missouri Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only approve schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the following segment.
Online Esthetics Schools
Online esthetician programs are advantageous for Houston MO students who are working full time and have family obligations that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology programs are typically fast paced given 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 dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not devoting many hours outside of your home or travelling back and forth from classes. However, it’s vital that the school you choose can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors in order that you also receive the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to obtain the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So make sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is available in your area.
What to Ask Esthetics Programs
Following is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any esthetician training program you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Houston home, as well as the cost of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have compiled some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the esthetician school you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in 65483 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Houston MO employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any esthetician school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. 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 sought after. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Houston MO 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. And finally, check with the Missouri school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many esthetician schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating 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 typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important 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 aspiration is to start a Houston MO beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Practicing and refining esthetician techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty academy provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from an esthetician school, it’s imperative that she or he receives support in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help develop relationships with Houston MO employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which salons and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many 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. Talk to a counselor and learn 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 offered to students too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an option until you find out what financial aid may be available.
Attending Esthetician School Near Houston MO?
Perhaps you live in the Houston Missouri 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.
Houston, Missouri
Houston is located in the Missouri Ozarks in central Texas County at the intersection of US Route 63 and Missouri Route 17. Cabool is about 15 miles to the southwest and Licking is about 12 miles to the northeast on route 63.[12]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.64 square miles (9.43 km2), all of it land.[2] Houston is the second largest city in Texas County, behind Cabool. The town is located south of Rolla.
As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 2,081 people, 935 households, and 513 families residing in the city. The population density was 571.7 inhabitants per square mile (220.7/km2). There were 1,060 housing units at an average density of 291.2 per square mile (112.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.3% White, 0.2% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2% of the population.
Enroll in the Right Esthetician College near Houston MO
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal esthetician school is essential to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Don’t forget to organize all of the responses you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional esthetician in Houston MO.
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