Degree Programs<\/strong><\/h3>\nBelow is a list 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 relative to your Bloomington home, together with the price of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional 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 should ask each school before making a final decision.<\/p>\n
Is the School Accredited?<\/strong> It’s essential to make sure that the esthetician college 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 ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in 47401 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Bloomington IN employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.<\/p>\nDoes the School have a Good Reputation? <\/strong>Any esthetician school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Bloomington IN salon owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the Indiana school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.<\/p>\nWhat’s the School’s Specialty? <\/strong>Some esthetician schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your intention 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 desire is to open a Bloomington IN beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach 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 need.<\/p>\nIs Any Hands-On Training Provided? <\/strong>Learning and refining esthetician skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty academy provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that provide this type of training.<\/p>\nDoes the School have a Job Placement Program? <\/strong>As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician school, it’s imperative that he or she receives aid in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with Bloomington IN businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.<\/p>\nIs Financial Aid Available? <\/strong>Most esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 available to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an option before you learn what financial aid may be offered.<\/p>\n