How to Choose the Right Esthetician Program near Clarkston Washington
Once you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Clarkston WA, the process starts to search for and enroll in the right program. It’s imperative that the program you choose not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be somewhat unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a little bit further regarding that in the upcoming section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Clarkston residence. Tuition will additionally be an important aspect when evaluating prospective schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not necessarily the right option. There are various other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are looking at 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.
Request Free Information Below on Esthetician Schools Near You or Online
Defining Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more attractive with the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be almost anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states require that you undergo some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Clarkston WA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many titles and are employed in a wide range of specializations including:
- Estheticians
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Electrolysis Technicians
As previously mentioned, in the majority of states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Esthetician Schools Near You!
Esthetician Degrees
There are essentially two options offered to obtain esthetician training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs normally require 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 each of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you want to specialize in just one area, for example esthetics. A degree program will also most likely feature management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Clarkston WA business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you choose, it’s important to make sure that it’s certified by the Washington Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the upcoming section.
Online Esthetics Schools
Online esthetician programs are convenient for Clarkston WA students who are working full-time and have family obligations that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are many web-based beauty school programs available that can be accessed by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are typically fast paced due to the fact that many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a large portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you’re not spending many hours away from your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it’s imperative that the school you select can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.
Questions to Ask Esthetician Trade Schools
Following is a series of questions that you should look into for any esthetician training school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Clarkston home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have put together some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the esthetician school you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified 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 can also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in 99403 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Clarkston WA employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every esthetician college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm 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 contacts with Clarkston WA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And last, check with the Washington school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many esthetician schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your objective 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 dream is to start a Clarkston WA beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked 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 techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty academy provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it’s important that he or she receives aid in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid develop relationships with Clarkston WA employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an option until you determine what financial assistance may be offered.
Top Esthetician Schools Online Clarkston Washington
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal esthetician school is essential to receive the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Don’t forget to collect all of the information you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the academy and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Top Esthetician Schools Online and wanting more information on the topic Accelerated Esthetician Classes. However, if you start 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 ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional esthetician in Clarkston WA.
More Beautiful Spots in Washington
Clarkston, Washington
Clarkston was first settled in 1862 by Robert Bracken,[6] and was officially incorporated on August 14, 1902. Before becoming an official town, the area was known by various names, including Jawbone Flats, Lewiston, and Concord (after Concord, Massachusetts).[7] The name Clarkston is a reference to William Clark, of the Lewis and Clark Expedition fame.[8]Lewiston, across the Idaho state line from Clarkston, is named for Meriwether Lewis, and is the larger and older of the two cities. Neither Lewis or Clark ever visited the Clarkston side of the river.
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 7,229 people, 3,226 households, and 1,744 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,596.5 inhabitants per square mile (1,388.6/km2). There were 3,411 housing units at an average density of 1,697.0 per square mile (655.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.1% White, 0.7% African American, 2.1% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.2% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.0% of the population.
There were 3,226 households of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.1% were married couples living together, 16.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 45.9% were non-families. 38.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.88.
Business Results 1 - 10 of 22
8 Reviews 
2 Reviews 1 Reviews 
14 Reviews 
1 Reviews 
4 Reviews 
3 Reviews 
3 Reviews 1 Reviews 
1 Reviews 