How to Choose the Right Esthetician College near Beltsville Maryland
Once you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Beltsville MD, the process begins to locate and enroll in the ideal program. It’s imperative that the program you pick not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be a little bit confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a bit more about that in the following segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Beltsville residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when reviewing potential schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not always the best choice. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are available.
What is Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human anatomy look more attractive through the application of cosmetics. So naturally 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 actually a cosmetic can be anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states mandate that you go through some kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Beltsville MD beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a client base, open their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing customers either in their own residences or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many titles 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 already mentioned, in most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption. Only those performing more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
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Esthetics Degrees
There are essentially two avenues available to receive 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 generally take 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree commonly takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in each of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you want to specialize in just one area, for instance esthetics. A degree program will also probably feature management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Beltsville MD business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you opt for, it’s essential to make certain that it’s recognized by the Maryland Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the next section.
Online Esthetics Programs
Online esthetician programs are convenient for Beltsville MD students who are employed full-time and have family commitments that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are many online cosmetology school programs available that can be attended through a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are often fast paced given that many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a substantial amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or commuting to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s essential that the training program you select can provide internship training in area salons and parlors in order that you also receive the hands-on training needed 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 field. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Esthetics Programs
Following is a list of questions that you should research for any esthetician training program you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Beltsville home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the esthetician training program 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 measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in 20704 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Beltsville MD businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each esthetician college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Beltsville MD salon owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, contact the Maryland school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of esthetician schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your ambition 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 dream is to open a Beltsville MD beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering esthetician techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty academy provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician school, it’s important that he or she gets help in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with Beltsville MD businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and organizations they refer students to. In addition, 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 respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Most esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Consult with 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 too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an option before you determine what financial help may be offered.
Best Esthetician Programs Online Beltsville Maryland
Selecting and enrolling in the right esthetician school is essential to get the necessary 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. Be sure to compile all of the information you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Best Esthetician Programs Online and wanting more information on the topic Weekend Esthetician Training. However, if you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied 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 examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to begin your career as a professional esthetician in Beltsville MD.
More Beauty Spots in Beltsville Maryland
Beltsville, Maryland
Beltsville is a census-designated place (CDP) in northern Prince George's County, Maryland, United States.[1] The community was named for Truman Belt, a local landowner. The population was 16,772 at the 2010 census.[2] Beltsville includes the unincorporated community of Vansville.[3]
Beltsville is located at 39°2′15″N 76°55′4″W / 39.03750°N 76.91778°W / 39.03750; -76.91778 (39.037509, −76.917847),[4] adjacent to the Montgomery County – Prince George's County line. It is about 7 miles (11 km) northeast of the Maryland border with Washington, D.C.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Beltsville has a total area of 7.2 square miles (18.6 km2), of which 7.1 square miles (18.5 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2), or 0.38%, is water.[5]
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