How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Hickory PA

How to Pick an Esthetics Program near Hickory Pennsylvania

Hickory PA esthetician client with cucumber facial Since you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Hickory PA, the task starts to search for and enroll in the ideal program. It’s imperative that the program you pick not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you may be a little bit confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll talk a bit further regarding that in the following segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Hickory residence. Tuition will likewise 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 ideal option. There are various other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding 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 programs are offered.

What is Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Hickory PA Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more attractive through the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states require that you take some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Hickory PA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once 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 have many 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 most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption. Only those performing more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Esthetics Degrees

Hickory PA esthetician client with face mask There are primarily two avenues 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 normally require 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate’s degree ordinarily takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you want to concentrate on just one area, such as esthetics. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Hickory 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. Whichever type of training program you opt for, it’s important to make sure that it’s certified by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the upcoming section.

Online Esthetics Programs

woman attending esthetician school online in Hickory PA Online esthetician classes are accommodating for Hickory PA students who are working full time and have family obligations that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be attended through a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are often fast paced given that many programs are as brief 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 are not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or commuting to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s essential that the school you select can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So make sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is available in your area.

What to Ask Esthetics Training Programs

Hickory PA models benefit from esthetic treatments Below is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any esthetician training school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Hickory home, together with the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the esthetician school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in 15340 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 Hickory PA employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each esthetician institute that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Hickory PA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. Finally, consult the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Some 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, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you decide on a school that specializes in 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 well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to start a Hickory PA beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you need.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and refining esthetician skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty program furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for other schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from an esthetician program, it’s important that he or she gets assistance in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with Hickory PA businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which salons and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with 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 available to students as well. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an alternative before you learn what financial help may be available.

Attending Esthetician School Near Hickory PA?

Perhaps you live in the Hickory 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.

Hickory Township, Pennsylvania

Choose the Right Esthetician School near Hickory PA

Picking and enrolling in the right esthetician program is essential to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the responses you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the academy and program you pick are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are ready to start your new career as a professional esthetician in Hickory PA.