How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Springvale ME

How to Enroll In an Esthetician Program near Springvale Maine

Springvale ME esthetician client with cucumber facial Since you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Springvale ME, the process begins to find and enroll in the ideal program. It’s important that the school you choose not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you may be rather unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a bit more regarding that in the following segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Springvale residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when evaluating prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it’s not always the right option. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are offered.

Definition of Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Springvale ME Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more beautiful with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can 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 require that you take some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Springvale ME beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a clientele, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go 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 practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Esthetics Certificates and Degrees

Springvale ME esthetician client with face mask There are basically two avenues available to get esthetician training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs generally take 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree usually takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you prefer to focus on just one area, such as esthetics. A degree program will also likely include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Springvale ME business. Higher degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you choose, it’s important to make certain that it’s certified by the Maine Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only approve schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the upcoming section.

Online Esthetician Programs

woman attending esthetician school online in Springvale ME Online esthetician programs are accommodating for Springvale ME students who are employed full-time and have family responsibilities that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be attended through a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are frequently fast paced because many programs are as short as six or eight months. This means that a considerable 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 many hours away from your home or commuting to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s important that the training program you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to gain the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Esthetics Training Programs

Springvale ME models benefit from esthetic treatments Below is a series of questions that you should investigate for any esthetician training school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Springvale residence, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue 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 initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the esthetician school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in 04083 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Springvale ME employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each esthetician school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Springvale ME salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And last, check with the Maine 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? Many esthetician schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you decide on a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your objective is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to start a Springvale ME beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you need.

Is Enough Live Training Provided? Practicing and refining esthetician skills and techniques involves 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 site that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty academy offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from an esthetician school, it’s crucial that he or she gets aid in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with Springvale ME employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available? Almost all esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an option before you determine what financial aid may be available.

Attending Esthetician School Near Springvale ME?

Perhaps you live in the Springvale Maine 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.

Springvale, Maine

Springvale is a village and former census-designated place in the city of Sanford in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 3,292 at the 2010 census.[1] It is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area. The CDP was abolished when the town of Sanford reincorporated as a city.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 3.2 square miles (8.4 km2), of which 3.1 square miles (8.1 km2) is land and 0.12 square miles (0.3 km2), or 3.69%, is water.[1] Springvale is drained by the Mousam River.

This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Springvale has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.[3]

Find the Right Esthetics College near Springvale ME

Picking and enrolling in the right esthetician school is imperative to get the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to start your career as a professional esthetician in Springvale ME.