How to Select the Best Esthetician Program near Lewis Iowa
Now that you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Lewis IA, the task starts to search for and enroll in the ideal program. It’s important that the school you choose not only furnishes the necessary instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be rather unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We’ll talk a bit more about that in the next section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Lewis residence. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when assessing potential schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not always the right choice. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of training programs are available.
Definition of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic may be almost anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states require that you undergo some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Lewis IA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a client base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have 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 previously mentioned, in most states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.
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Esthetics Certificates and Degrees
There are essentially two pathways available to receive 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 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 instructed in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you want to specialize in just one area, for instance esthetics. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Lewis IA 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 decide on, it’s essential to make certain that it’s recognized by the Iowa Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the following section.
Online Esthetics Schools
Online esthetician schools are accommodating for Lewis IA students who are employed full time and have family responsibilities that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are many online beauty school programs offered that can be attended through a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are often fast paced since many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a considerable portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same volume of material, but you’re not spending many hours away from your home or travelling back and forth from classes. However, it’s important that the school you pick can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to obtain the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Esthetician Trade Schools
Following is a series of questions that you should research for any esthetician training school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Lewis home, as well as the expense of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably 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 consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have put together 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 certain that the esthetician school you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, 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 can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in 51544 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Lewis IA businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each esthetician institute that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Lewis IA salon owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And finally, contact the Iowa school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some esthetician schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing 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 frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your goal 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 launch a Lewis IA beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting esthetician skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty program offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So try to find alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it’s crucial that he or she receives help in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with Lewis IA businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask 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 Aid Offered? Many esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and identify 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 offered to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you learn what financial assistance may be available.
Schools That Offer Esthetician Programs Lewis Iowa
Selecting and enrolling in the right esthetician program is important to get the appropriate 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. Make certain to consolidate all of the information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Schools That Offer Esthetician Programs and wanting more information on the topic Beauty School Esthetician. However, if you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your new career as a professional esthetician in Lewis IA.
More Beauty Spots in Lewis Iowa
Lewis, Iowa
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 433 people, 183 households, and 119 families residing in the city. The population density was 866.0 inhabitants per square mile (334.4/km2). There were 200 housing units at an average density of 400.0 per square mile (154.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.8% White, 1.2% Native American, 0.2% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population.
There were 183 households of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.0% were non-families. 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.83.
The median age in the city was 45.8 years. 23.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.1% were from 25 to 44; 37.2% were from 45 to 64; and 15.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.3% male and 49.7% female.
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