How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Alexandria TN

How to Choose an Esthetics Training Program near Alexandria Tennessee

Alexandria TN esthetician client with cucumber facialSince you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Alexandria TN, the process starts to search for and enroll in the ideal program. It’s essential that the school you choose not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be rather unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll speak a little bit further regarding that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Alexandria home. Tuition will also be an important consideration when assessing prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not always the ideal option. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of training programs are available.

Defining Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Alexandria TNCosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more attractive through the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many 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, most states mandate that you go through some type of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Alexandria TN beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a customer base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing customers either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many professional names and are employed in a wide range of specialties including:

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

As formerly mentioned, in most states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those performing more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Esthetician Degrees

Alexandria TN esthetician client with face maskThere are basically two options available to obtain esthetician training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs typically take 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 each of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you prefer to focus on just one area, such as esthetics. A degree program will also most likely incorporate management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Alexandria TN business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you opt for, it’s essential to make sure that it’s certified by the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology. Many states only approve schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you decide on in the following segment.

Online Esthetics Schools

woman attending esthetician school online in Alexandria TNOnline esthetician programs are convenient for Alexandria TN students who are working full-time and have family commitments that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are many web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be accessed through a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty programs are typically fast paced due to the fact that many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a considerable amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not spending numerous hours outside of your home or driving back and forth from classes. However, it’s important that the training program you pick can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is available in your area.

What to Ask Esthetician Schools

Alexandria TN models benefit from esthetic treatmentsBelow is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any esthetician training school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Alexandria residence, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn 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 additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make certain that the esthetician college you pick 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in 37012 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Alexandria TN 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 Good Reputation?  Every esthetician college 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 references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Alexandria TN salon owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to propose others that you had not considered. Finally, consult the Tennessee school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Many esthetician schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you enroll in a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your intention 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 desire is to open a Alexandria TN beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you require.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided?  Learning and refining esthetician techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a beauty academy offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from an esthetician program, it’s crucial that she or he receives aid in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with Alexandria TN employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  Almost all esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might get approved 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 satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an option before you determine what financial assistance may be provided.

Attending Esthetician School Near Alexandria TN?

Perhaps you live in the Alexandria Tennessee 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.

Alexandria, Tennessee

Alexandria is located in the northwest corner of DeKalb County, bordered to the north by Smith County and at its western tip by Wilson County. U.S. Route 70 (Nashville Highway) passes through the southwest side of the town, leading northwest 18 miles (29 km) to Lebanon and southeast 17 miles (27 km) to Smithville, the DeKalb County seat. Tennessee State Route 53 passes just east of the town, leading north 7 miles (11 km) to Interstate 40 at New Middleton.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.0 square miles (5.2 km2), all of it land.[7] Hickman Creek flows to the northeast through the town; it is a tributary of the Caney Fork River, part of the Cumberland River watershed.

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 814 people, 349 households, and 226 families residing in the town. The population density was 901.3 people per square mile (349.2/km²). There were 383 housing units at an average density of 424.1 per square mile (164.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 90.17% White, 7.74% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.49% from other races, and 1.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.25% of the population.

Choose the Right Esthetician School near Alexandria TN

Finding and enrolling in the ideal esthetician college is important to receive the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the responses you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your career as a professional esthetician in Alexandria TN.

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