How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Salford PA

How to Enroll In an Esthetician College near Salford Pennsylvania

Salford PA esthetician client with cucumber facial Since you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Salford PA, the task starts to search for and enroll in the ideal program. It’s important that the program you choose not only furnishes the proper instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may be somewhat confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a bit further concerning that in the upcoming segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Salford residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when reviewing potential schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not automatically the right choice. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding 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 courses are available.

Definition of Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Salford PA Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human anatomy look more beautiful with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be almost 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 require that you go through some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Salford PA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many professional names and are employed in a wide variety 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 certain states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Esthetics Certificates and Degrees

Salford PA esthetician client with face mask There are primarily two pathways available to get esthetician training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually 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 trained in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you prefer to concentrate on just one area, for instance esthetics. A degree program will also most likely incorporate management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Salford PA business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you choose, it’s essential to make sure that it’s recognized by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only approve schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you decide on in the upcoming section.

Online Esthetics Programs

woman attending esthetician school online in Salford PA Online esthetician programs are advantageous for Salford PA students who are employed 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 offered that can be attended through a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are often fast paced due to the fact 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 courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you’re not devoting many hours outside of your home or travelling to and from classes. However, it’s vital that the training program you select can provide internship training in area salons and parlors to ensure that you also obtain the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to obtain the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Esthetician Training Classes

Salford PA models benefit from esthetic treatments Following is a list of questions that you should research for any esthetician training school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Salford residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want 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 put together several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the School 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 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 can also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in 18957 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Salford PA businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any esthetician institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Salford PA salon owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Some esthetician schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you pick 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 well regarded for that program. If your dream is to launch a Salford PA beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.

Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Practicing and refining esthetician techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore look for other schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from an esthetician program, it’s crucial that she or he receives support in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with Salford PA businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which salons and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, 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 Aid Available? The majority of esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Speak 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 accessible to students too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an option until you find out what financial assistance may be offered.

Attending Esthetician School Near Salford PA?

Perhaps you live in the Salford 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.

Lower Salford Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

Lower Salford is a township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania located one mile west of the Lansdale exit of the Pennsylvania Turnpike (exit 31). It is centered on the intersection of Route 63 (Main St), and Route 113 (Harleysville Pike).

The township has a total area of 14.5 square miles (37.5 km2), of which, 14.4 square miles (37.3 km2) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km2) of it (0.41%) is water. The East Branch Perkiomen Creek and Skippack Creek are tributaries of the Perkiomen Creek draining the township.

Lower Salford was originally part of the larger Salford Township, until, in March 1741 Jacob Reiff petitioned the Court of Quarter Sessions of Philadelphia County to split the Township into what are now called Lower Salford, Upper Salford, Marlborough, and Franconia Townships. Lower Salford contains the villages of Harleysville, Lederach, Mainland, and Vernfield.

Enroll in the Right Esthetician Program near Salford PA

Finding and enrolling in the right esthetician program is essential to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Don’t forget to organize all of the responses you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to begin your career as a professional esthetician in Salford PA.