How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Strafford MO

How to Pick an Esthetician Training Program near Strafford Missouri

Strafford MO esthetician client with cucumber facial Now that you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Strafford MO, the process starts to locate and enroll in the best program. It’s imperative that the program you pick not only furnishes the appropriate education for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be a little bit unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll talk a bit more about that in the following section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Strafford home. Tuition will also be an important consideration when evaluating prospective schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not automatically the best option. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are available.

What is Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Strafford MO Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human anatomy look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be almost 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 require that you undergo some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Strafford MO beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a clientele, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many titles and are employed in a wide range of specialties including:

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

As previously mentioned, in most states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Esthetics Certificates and Degrees

Strafford MO esthetician client with face mask There are basically two options available to obtain esthetician training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs typically call for 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 main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you want to focus on just one area, for example esthetics. A degree program will also likely include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Strafford MO business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you decide on, it’s essential to make certain that it’s approved by the Missouri Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the next section.

Online Esthetician Schools

woman attending esthetician school online in Strafford MO Online esthetician classes are convenient for Strafford MO students who are working full time and have family obligations that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of online beauty school programs offered that can be accessed via a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty programs are often fast paced since many programs are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a large portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours away from your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it’s vital that the training program you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors in order that you also obtain the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to gain the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Esthetician Training Courses

Strafford MO models benefit from esthetic treatments Following is a series of questions that you should investigate for any esthetician training school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Strafford residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue 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 preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Program 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 acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 65757 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Strafford MO employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each esthetician institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Strafford MO 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 recommend others that you had not considered. And last, check with the Missouri 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? Some esthetician schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you decide on a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your ambition 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 open a Strafford MO beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and mastering esthetician skills and techniques demands lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty academy offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. So look for other schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it’s important that she or he receives help in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develop relationships with Strafford MO employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which salons and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Many esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you learn what financial help may be provided.

Attending Esthetician School Near Strafford MO?

Perhaps you live in the Strafford 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.

Strafford, Missouri

According to Ripley's Believe It or Not!, Strafford is the only town in the United States with two main streets and no back alleys. The road to the north was the main street until Route 66 was built between the backs of the businesses and the railroad. The owners simply built new entrances, giving them two front doors. Missouri State Archives

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 2,358 people, 867 households, and 636 families residing in the city. The population density was 896.6 inhabitants per square mile (346.2/km2). There were 922 housing units at an average density of 350.6 per square mile (135.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.8% White, 0.5% African American, 0.8% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.9% of the population.

There were 867 households of which 40.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 26.6% were non-families. 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.08.

Choose the Right Esthetics College near Strafford MO

Choosing and enrolling in the ideal esthetician school is important to receive the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Don’t forget to compile all of the information you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your career as a professional esthetician in Strafford MO.