How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Ledyard CT

How to Enroll In an Esthetics Training Program near Ledyard Connecticut

Ledyard CT esthetician client with cucumber facial Since you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Ledyard CT, the process begins to search for and enroll in the ideal program. It’s important that the school you pick not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be rather puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll talk a bit more regarding that in the upcoming segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Ledyard home. Tuition will also be an important consideration when reviewing possible schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not always the best choice. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are offered.

Defining Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Ledyard CT Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful through the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states mandate that you take some kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Ledyard CT beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gotten experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many professional names and work 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 most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those offering more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Esthetics Degrees and Certificates

Ledyard CT esthetician client with face mask There are basically two options offered to receive esthetician training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually call for 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 trained in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you wish to focus on just one area, for instance esthetics. A degree program will also most likely incorporate management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Ledyard CT business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you go with, it’s essential to make certain that it’s recognized by the Connecticut Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the following segment.

Online Esthetics Training

woman attending esthetician school online in Ledyard CT Online esthetician schools are convenient for Ledyard CT students who are working full-time and have family obligations that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous online cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty programs are typically fast paced given that many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a substantial portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you’re not devoting many hours away from your home or travelling to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s imperative that the program you pick can provide internship training in area salons and parlors in order that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to obtain the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

What to Ask Esthetics Training Programs

Ledyard CT models benefit from esthetic treatments Following is a series of questions that you should look into for any esthetician training program you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Ledyard home, together with the cost of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish 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 need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the School Accredited? It’s necessary 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 organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in 06339 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Ledyard CT employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every esthetician college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Ledyard CT salon owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And last, contact the Connecticut school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? A number of esthetician schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you choose a school that specializes in 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 dream is to launch a Ledyard CT beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you require.

Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting esthetician skills and techniques demands lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty school offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from an esthetician program, it’s important that he or she receives assistance in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with Ledyard CT employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire 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 Aid Available? Many esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an option before you determine what financial aid may be available.

Attending Esthetician School Near Ledyard CT?

Perhaps you live in the Ledyard Connecticut area, or have found a school that you will commute to or even relocate to attend. Either way, following is some interesting background information about the location of your new esthetician program.

Ledyard, Connecticut

Ledyard /ˈlɛdʒərd/ is a town in New London County, Connecticut, United States, located along the Thames River. The town is named after Colonel William Ledyard, a Revolutionary War soldier who was killed at the Battle of Groton Heights.[3] The population was 15,051 at the 2010 census.[2] The Foxwoods Resort Casino, owned and operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, is located in the northeastern section of Ledyard, on land owned by the tribe. Ledyard's zip code is 06339. Within the southwestern area of Ledyard is the district known as Gales Ferry, which has the postal code 06335.

Named for Colonel William Ledyard, slain commander of Colonial forces in the Battle of Groton Heights in September 1781, the town was set off from Groton in 1836 by an act of the Connecticut Legislature.[4] The western section, on the east bank of the Thames River, had been settled in the mid-seventeenth century by Thomas Bayley, John Gager, Robert Allyn and Robert Stoddard. The settlers were farmers, and the river their transportation.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 40.0 square miles (104 km2), of which 38.1 square miles (99 km2) is land and 1.9 square miles (4.9 km2), or 4.62%, is water. Ledyard is situated north of Groton, and borders the east bank of the Thames River in southeastern Connecticut. The northern half of the Naval Submarine Base New London is located in the southwest corner of the town.

Enroll in the Right Esthetics Training Program near Ledyard CT

Picking and enrolling in the ideal esthetician school is imperative to get the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional esthetician in Ledyard CT.