How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Trexlertown PA

How to Choose an Esthetics Training Program near Trexlertown Pennsylvania

Trexlertown PA esthetician client with cucumber facial Once you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Trexlertown PA, the process begins to find and enroll in the ideal program. It’s important that the program you select not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be somewhat unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll speak a little bit more regarding that in the following segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Trexlertown home. Tuition will also be an important factor when assessing prospective schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not necessarily the right option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are available.

What is Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Trexlertown PA Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human anatomy look more beautiful through the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically 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 take some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Trexlertown PA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a client base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own residences or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many professional 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 earlier mentioned, in most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption. Only those conducting more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Esthetician Certificates and Degrees

Trexlertown 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) course, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs normally require 12 to 18 months to finish, 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 available if you prefer to specialize in just one area, such as esthetics. A degree program will also likely feature management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Trexlertown PA business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you go with, it’s essential to make sure that it’s recognized by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the upcoming segment.

Online Esthetician Programs

woman attending esthetician school online in Trexlertown PA Online esthetician programs are accommodating for Trexlertown PA students who are employed full-time and have family responsibilities that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of online cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended through a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are typically fast paced because many programs are as short as six or eight months. This means that a significant portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you’re not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or travelling back and forth from classes. However, it’s essential that the program you choose can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors to ensure that you also obtain the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Esthetics Training Programs

Trexlertown PA models benefit from esthetic treatments Following is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any esthetician training school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Trexlertown residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have put together several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the esthetician school you select 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 guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in 18087 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Trexlertown PA businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each esthetician college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements 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 in addition to the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Trexlertown PA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And last, check with 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 Focus? A number of esthetician schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing 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 typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your objective is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to start a Trexlertown PA beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you require.

Is Enough Live Training Provided? Learning and mastering esthetician skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a beauty academy offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from an esthetician school, it’s important that he or she receives aid in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with Trexlertown PA employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask 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. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out 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 available to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an option before you determine what financial help may be offered.

Attending Esthetician School Near Trexlertown PA?

Perhaps you live in the Trexlertown 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.

Trexlertown, Pennsylvania

Trexlertown (also Trexlerstown[1]) is a census-designated place in Upper Macungie Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, United States. It lies in the Lehigh Valley between Breinigsville and Wescosville. As of the 2010 census the population was 1,988 residents.

Jeremiah Trexler obtained land adjoining that of his father in Upper Macungie Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where he kept a tavern as early as in 1732. In 1734 a road was laid out from his tavern through North Wales in now Montgomery County to Philadelphia. As was the custom of the time, a village grew around the tavern, which came to be known as Trexlertown.[2]

Find the Right Esthetician Vocational School near Trexlertown PA

Choosing and enrolling in the right esthetician school is imperative to get the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the responses you get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional esthetician in Trexlertown PA.