How to Find Esthetician Schools Near Me
Whether you’re considering an esthetician program or have just begun thinking about one, you want to feel certain that you’re making the best decision. Here’s a list of factors to consider when choosing an esthetics school that will help you reach your professional goals.
Choosing an esthetician school may be a daunting task, and knowing where to begin is difficult. This is where we come in. We’ve put up a handy checklist to assist you figure out, step by step, which program is best for you.
These stages aren’t required to be done in this order, but it can act as a starting point.
Make a List of Esthetician Schools in Your Area
When assessing esthetician schools, start by making a note of your favorite possibilities. Consider which areas you like to work in, certain specialties you would like to learn, and the type of esthetician school that most appeals to you. Visit the Esthetician Schools in Person to Get a Feel for the Environment. While you may not have time to sit in on classes or talk with instructors, try to visit an esthetician school office and speak with office workers. While chatting, ask them questions about what it’s like to work there, how many students are enrolled, and if the school is a good fit for you.
Make a Google search for “esthetician school near me.” Check to see if your browser settings allow the website to find out where you are. You may also check out whether a location is a viable option, even if you’re not sure about attending right now.
Check for Accreditation
An accredited esthetician school is one that has met educational criteria set by an accreditation body with the goal of assuring high quality education. When searching for esthetician schools near you, make sure they have earned accreditation.
There are two reasons why you should be concerned with accreditation, and several institutions that may accredit esthetician programs:
Accreditation is required for licensure eligibility.
Most state licensing boards require students to complete an accredited esthetics program to graduate. Accredited programs satisfy rigorous academic and teaching criteria established by a third party. Accredited institutions will almost certainly have a far better reputation, allowing you to obtain employment after graduation.
The National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (NACCAS), the Council on Occupational Education (COE), or your state’s board of esthetics or cosmetology may accredit you for an aesthetic license. Many schools offer multiple accreditations, but any one of them should be enough to meet your state’s esthetics licensure standards for esthetics education.
Eligibility for federal financial assistance is determined by accreditation.
If you want to be eligible for federal financial aid to pay for esthetics school, your chosen institution must be a Title IV school. This is a rigorous federal designation that comes with a lot of responsibilities for the institution, such as being approved by a U.S. Department of Education-approved accrediting body—so many beauty or esthetics schools that provide outstanding education do not seek Title IV status.
Check with your esthetics school of interest directly to be doubly certain about accreditation standing, since this data is subject to change. This sort of information will generally be readily available on accredited institutions’ websites, although you can also contact them to find out more. Alternatively, you may contact the accreditation organizations directly to inquire about their school’s status.
View the Esthetician School’s Course Offerings.
When looking for the ideal esthetician school for you, check to see whether your institution offers any of these programs. Even if you desire aesthetics, it may be necessary to study in other fields to increase your employment prospects. You could discover a completely new program you’ve never heard of before!
A crossover program is another alternative to explore. These are ideal for beauticians and students who wish to learn about another area of expertise. To provide a wider range of services, a crosstown program necessitates passing an additional licensing exam. Some students opt to combine cosmetology and barbering, hair design and esthetics, nail technology and hair design, and so on.
Take a look at the reputations of the Esthetician Schools.
When looking for a school, keep in mind that reputation is important. A school’s reputation may determine whether or not you’re able to enter the career.
Begin by speaking with estheticians in your region about a school’s reputation. Ask them which programs have a solid reputation for producing skilled estheticians.
Look up the schools and programs you’re considering at Google, Yelp, GlassDoor.com, and other sites as well. Reviews from students, clients, and employees are common; however, beware of those that are too effusive or negative.
Finally, investigate a university’s graduation and job success rates after graduation. A failing school may indicate poor educational quality if its students finish at low rates, fail tests frequently, or struggle to obtain employment soon after graduation.
Check to see whether you can afford this esthetician program.
The average cost of an esthetics program is between $3,000 and $10,000. However, costs may differ based on the length of the program, its location, and the training hours needed in your state. Begin by creating a budget to see whether you can afford aesthetician school.
Keep in mind that there are numerous ways to help you pay for your education. Financial assistance for esthetician and beauty schools might come from federal or state loans, scholarships, and grants as well as private sources. Make sure your program or school meets the criteria for all financial aid options before applying.
Try out the Esthetics School Salons
If you’re unsure whether or not to pursue an esthetician school, go undercover! Visit a student salon as a client to get a glimpse of the esthetician school experience from the student perspective.
Take a look at how students in the salon are watched and handled by instructors. Take notice of how they interact with clients and each other. The advantages of a beauty salon are many, but the main one is that you get to be pampered. It’s important to evaluate the quality of your treatment.
There are also the more intimate concerns of whether you enjoy the atmosphere—does the student salon appear to be a place where you’ll thrive?
Find a School That Interests You in Esthetician Education
Consider visiting the schools you’ve looked into as a potential student once you’ve decided that esthetics school is right for you. Bring a list of questions to ask while visiting schools with you. Consider asking:
- What is the cost of tuition?
- What are the hidden expenses? Will you need to buy books, safety equipment, or a cosmetology kit?
- What is financial aid and how does it work?
- Is there a career or employment placement program available at the school?
- What is the school’s curriculum like?
- Is there a lot of flexibility in the program, or will you need to stick to a rigid timetable?
- What are your plans for completing your training requirements?
- What are the most common difficulties students face?
- What is the procedure if you need to withdraw, transfer institutions, or suspend your esthetic program?
A visit is a chance to learn more about what it’s like to attend a certain institution or program. Remember, most schools want you to enroll, so be daring and ask questions that go deep!
Plan Your Parking and Set a Route with Google Maps
Remember that there are expenses that aren’t covered by just tuition when you’re thinking about going to cosmetology school. You may also need to pay for travel or parking.
You may avoid costly expenses by learning what time classes begin each day, then looking for transportation or low-cost parking alternatives. You can use Google Maps to determine how long it will take you to get there on time for classes if you set a start or arrival time.
Also, find out if there is any on-site food service. To decrease the financial strain, you might pack your own meals and snacks. If you prepare ahead of time, you may save money while also optimizing your budget.
Check into Continuing Education and Advanced Training.
You may decide to pursue further esthetic training or continuing education after you’ve established yourself in your profession.
Is that coursework available at the schools and programs you’re looking into? In addition, some states have two-tier aesthetic license systems that enable students to train to become master estheticians.
You might also want to inquire about a school’s career services program and whether it provides post-graduation educational alternatives or assistance in pursuing your long-term career objectives.