How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools West Columbia SC

How to Enroll In an Esthetician School near West Columbia South Carolina

West Columbia SC esthetician client with cucumber facial Since you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near West Columbia SC, the process begins to search for and enroll in the best program. It’s imperative that the program you choose not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be rather confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a bit further concerning 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 West Columbia residence. Tuition will also be an important factor when evaluating potential schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not necessarily the ideal option. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over 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 kinds of courses are available.

Definition of Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners West Columbia SC Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more beautiful through 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 word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states require that you undergo some kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only West Columbia SC beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gotten experience and a customer base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many 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 earlier stated, in most states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those offering more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Esthetics Degrees

West Columbia SC esthetician client with face mask There are basically two options available to get esthetician training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs typically take 12 to 18 months to complete, 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 main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you wish to specialize in just one area, for example esthetics. A degree program will also probably feature management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other West Columbia SC business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you go with, it’s essential to make certain that it’s approved by the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the upcoming section.

Online Esthetician Training

woman attending esthetician school online in West Columbia SC Online esthetician schools are accommodating for West Columbia SC students who are working full-time and have family commitments that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of online beauty school programs offered that can be accessed via a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty programs are typically fast paced since many courses are as short as six or eight months. This means that a considerable portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are covering the same amount of material, but you’re not devoting numerous hours away from your home or commuting back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s vital that the training program you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors in order that you also get the hands-on training necessary for a complete 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 be sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Esthetics Schools

West Columbia SC models benefit from esthetic treatments Following is a series of questions that you need to research for any esthetician training program you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your West Columbia home, together with the cost of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following 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 essential to make sure that the esthetician college you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 29169 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 West Columbia SC businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every esthetician school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with West Columbia SC salon owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. Finally, consult the South 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 Focus? Many esthetician schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing 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 specializes in 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 start a West Columbia SC beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining esthetician techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from an esthetician school, it’s imperative that she or he receives aid in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with West Columbia SC employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of 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 find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you find out what financial help may be available.

Attending Esthetician School Near West Columbia SC?

Perhaps you live in the West Columbia South 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.

West Columbia, South Carolina

West Columbia is a city and commuter town in the suburban eastern sections of Lexington County, South Carolina, United States. According to the 2010 census, the population was 14,988. It is a part of the greater Columbia, SC metropolitan statistical area.

West Columbia lies west of Columbia, South Carolina, directly across the Congaree River. It is near Columbia's city center or downtown district as well as the South Carolina State House and the Congaree Vista, known locally as "the Vista."

West Columbia was incorporated in 1894 as Brookland, but the United States Postal Service called the town "New Brookland" since there was another town called Brookland. In 1936, the name was changed to West Columbia to emphasize its proximity to Columbia, South Carolina.[1] Numerous businesses, churches and a high school retain the Brookland and New Brookland names.

Pick the Right Esthetics College near West Columbia SC

Selecting and enrolling in the ideal esthetician school is important to receive the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to organize all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional esthetician in West Columbia SC.