How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Clarks Summit PA

How to Select an Esthetician Training Program near Clarks Summit Pennsylvania

Clarks Summit PA esthetician client with cucumber facial Since you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Clarks Summit PA, the process begins to search for and enroll in the best program. It’s essential that the school you pick not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be a little bit puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We’ll speak a little bit more about that in the following section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Clarks Summit residence. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when evaluating potential schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not necessarily the best choice. There are several other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about 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 training programs are offered.

What is Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Clarks Summit PA Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be anything that improves 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 take some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Clarks Summit PA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gotten experience and a client base, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many names and work in a wide variety of specializations including:

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

As already stated, in the majority of states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption. Only those conducting more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Esthetics Degrees and Certificates

Clarks Summit PA esthetician client with face mask There are basically two avenues offered to obtain esthetician training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually 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 prefer 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 Clarks Summit PA business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you decide on, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s certified by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the benefits of accreditation for the school you decide on in the following section.

Online Esthetics Training

woman attending esthetician school online in Clarks Summit PA Online esthetician classes are advantageous for Clarks Summit PA students who are employed full-time and have family commitments that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are many web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed through a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty schools are often fast paced given that many courses are as short as six or eight months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you’re not spending many hours away from your home or driving to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s essential that the school you select can provide internship training in area salons and parlors to ensure that you also get the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

What to Ask Esthetician Trade Schools

Clarks Summit PA models benefit from esthetic treatments Below is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any esthetician training program you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Clarks Summit residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s necessary to make sure that the esthetician college you choose 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in 18411 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Clarks Summit PA employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every esthetician institute that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Clarks Summit PA salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. Finally, contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted 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, offering training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you enroll in a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your ambition 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 vision is to launch a Clarks Summit PA beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you need.

Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and refining esthetician skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a beauty school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So look for other schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician school, it’s crucial that she or he gets aid in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develop relationships with Clarks Summit PA businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Almost all 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 find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an option until you learn what financial aid may be offered.

Attending Esthetician School Near Clarks Summit PA?

Perhaps you live in the Clarks Summit Pennsylvania 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.

Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania

Clarks Summit is a borough in Lackawanna County northwest of Scranton in northeastern Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 5,116 at the 2010 census. It is also the northern terminus of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, I-476.

The first settler in the area currently known as Clarks Summit was William Clark. Clark had fought in the Battle of Bunker Hill during the Revolutionary War, and as payment for his military service, he was issued 800 acres (3.2 km2) of Pennsylvania land by Congress. Because of disputes between Pennsylvania and Connecticut over the area of land that is now northern Pennsylvania (resulting in the Pennamite-Yankee War), the land deed issued to Clark was deemed invalid by the Luzerne County land grant office. Clark had no choice but to pay for the land himself. In March 1799, Clark and his three sons moved into a log cabin in the Abington wilderness, located on what is currently the Clarks Green Cemetery. The first school was built in 1893 and was destroyed by fire two years later.[3] The village of Clarks Summit and an adjacent tract of land were incorporated into the Borough of Clarks Summit on August 30, 1911.

There are many geological features that add appeal to the area of Clarks Summit. Many of the locals enjoy the plethora of natural lands and features during the warmer months. Clarks Summit area has four dams (Cobbs Lake Dam, Fords Lake Dam, Interlaken Dam, and Summit Lake Dam) that all have scenic bodies of water attached for many outdoor activities such as fishing and swimming. Moreover, Cummings Pond, Gravel Pond, and Lance Pond additionally offer many outdoor opportunities for residents and their families. Along with these lakes, ponds, and dams, there are also several reservoirs that are contained in the area. The area's four reservoirs serve as local hot spots for summer swimming and rope swings for much of Clarks Summit's youth. In addition to bodies of water, the area also services many hiking and walking locations throughout the borough. The area is home to Bald Mountain, Captain White Hill, Griffin Hill, Pinnacle Rock, West Mountain, Wilbur Hill, Summit Pointe, Waverly Community walking trail and many others.

Select the Right Esthetician Vocational School near Clarks Summit PA

Locating and enrolling in the ideal esthetician college is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to organize all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution 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 filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional esthetician in Clarks Summit PA.