How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Raeford NC

How to Enroll In an Esthetics Course near Raeford North Carolina

Raeford NC esthetician client with cucumber facial Since you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Raeford NC, the task begins to find and enroll in the ideal program. It’s essential that the school you choose not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be rather puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a little bit further about that in the following segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Raeford home. Tuition will additionally be an important aspect when evaluating potential schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it’s not automatically the best option. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are available.

What is Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Raeford NC Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human anatomy look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but really a cosmetic can be almost anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states mandate that you undergo some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Raeford NC beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a clientele, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing customers either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s residence, 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 previously mentioned, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those offering more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Esthetician Certificates and Degrees

Raeford NC esthetician client with face mask There are primarily two pathways available to obtain esthetician training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs generally take 12 to 18 months to finish, 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 main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you wish to specialize in just one area, for instance esthetics. A degree program will also likely include management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Raeford NC business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you choose, it’s important to make sure that it’s approved by the North Carolina Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the following section.

Online Esthetics Classes

woman attending esthetician school online in Raeford NC Online esthetician classes are accommodating for Raeford NC students who are employed full time and have family obligations that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be attended via a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are frequently fast paced since many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a substantial portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you’re not devoting many hours away from your home or driving to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s imperative that the school you select 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 difficult to gain the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Esthetics Degree Programs

Raeford NC models benefit from esthetic treatments Following is a series of questions that you should look into for any esthetician training school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Raeford home, as well as the cost of tuition, will most likely 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 options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the esthetician college you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in 28376 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Raeford NC businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any esthetician college 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 endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Raeford NC salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. Finally, check with the North Carolina school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Some esthetician schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your intention is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to open a Raeford NC beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you need.

Is Any Live Training Provided? Studying and refining esthetician techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a beauty program offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it’s imperative that he or she gets assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with Raeford NC employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which salons and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Available? Most esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and identify 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 accessible to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an option until you determine what financial aid may be offered.

Attending Esthetician School Near Raeford NC?

Perhaps you live in the Raeford North Carolina 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.

Raeford, North Carolina

Raeford is a city in Hoke County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 4,611 at the 2010 census,[4] and in 2016 the estimated population was 4,998.[1] It is the county seat of Hoke County.[5] The county was named after Confederate General Robert F. Hoke, a North Carolina native.

John McRae and A.A. Williford operated a turpentine distillery and general store, respectively. Each took a syllable from his name and came up with the name Raeford for the post office they established.[citation needed] The MacRae family, who lived at the "ford of the creek", was at one time made up primarily of old Highland Scot families. Likewise, the Upper Cape Fear Valley of North Carolina was in the 18th and 19th centuries the largest settlement of Gaelic-speaking Highland Scots in North America.[citation needed] Today, many of these old families continue to live in the area, though their presence is noticeably diminished by the great numbers of newcomers to the area as a result of Fort Bragg. Since World War II, many Lumbee Indian families have moved northward from Robeson County and now constitute a significant element of the population that is otherwise European and African American.

Raeford is located in central Hoke County at 34°58′54″N 79°13′39″W / 34.98167°N 79.22750°W / 34.98167; -79.22750 (34.981800, -79.227469).[7] It is bordered to the northeast by Rockfish Creek, an east-flowing tributary of the Cape Fear River. The southern part of the city drains to Toneys Creek, a south-flowing component of the Lumber River–Pee Dee River–Waccamaw River watershed.

Find the Right Esthetician Program near Raeford NC

Choosing and enrolling in the ideal esthetician school is imperative to receive the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the responses you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A good 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 start with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to begin your career as a professional esthetician in Raeford NC.