How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Tioga Center NY

How to Find the Right Esthetics Program near Tioga Center New York

Tioga Center NY esthetician client with cucumber facial Now that you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Tioga Center NY, the task starts to search for and enroll in the ideal program. It’s essential that the school you choose not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you may be rather confused 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 type of school. We’ll discuss a bit more about that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Tioga Center residence. Tuition will additionally be an important aspect when assessing potential schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not necessarily the right choice. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are offered.

Definition of Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Tioga Center NY Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human body look more attractive through the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic may be anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you undergo some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Tioga Center NY beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gotten experience and a customer base, open their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many professional names and are employed in a wide range of specializations including:

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

As earlier mentioned, in most states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption. Only those conducting more skilled services, such as 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.

Esthetician Certificates and Degrees

Tioga Center NY esthetician client with face mask There are primarily two options available 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 usually takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you want to specialize in just one area, such as esthetics. A degree program will also probably feature management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Tioga Center NY business. Higher degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you decide on, it’s important to make sure that it’s recognized by the New York Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the following segment.

Online Esthetician Training

woman attending esthetician school online in Tioga Center NY Online esthetician programs are advantageous for Tioga Center NY students who are working full-time and have family obligations that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many web-based beauty school programs offered that can be attended by means of a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty programs are often 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 covering the same amount of material, but you are not devoting many hours outside of your home or commuting back and forth from classes. However, it’s important that the program you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors in order that you also obtain the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to gain the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Esthetician Programs

Tioga Center NY models benefit from esthetic treatments Below is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any esthetician training program you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Tioga Center residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.

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 certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in 13845 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Tioga Center NY employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every esthetician college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Tioga Center NY 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 looked into. And finally, check with the New York school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? A number of esthetician schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating 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 frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your goal 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 aspiration is to launch a Tioga Center NY beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you need.

Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and refining esthetician skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a beauty academy offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. So look for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from an esthetician program, it’s essential that he or she gets support in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with Tioga Center NY employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which salons and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Most esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing 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 accessible to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an option until you determine what financial assistance may be offered.

Attending Esthetician School Near Tioga Center NY?

Perhaps you live in the Tioga Center New York 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.

Gianni Polhemus

Choose the Right Esthetician Vocational School near Tioga Center NY

Choosing and enrolling in the ideal esthetician program is essential to receive the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the academy and program you choose are accredited and have impressive 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 proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional esthetician in Tioga Center NY.