How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Hampstead MD

How to Enroll In an Esthetics Program near Hampstead Maryland

Hampstead MD esthetician client with cucumber facial Once you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Hampstead MD, the task begins to search for and enroll in the ideal program. It’s imperative that the school you choose not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be somewhat puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We’ll speak a little bit more regarding that in the upcoming segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Hampstead residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when reviewing possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not automatically the best choice. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are available.

Definition of Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Hampstead MD Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be almost anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you undergo some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Hampstead MD beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gotten experience and a customer base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many titles 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 formerly mentioned, in most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption. Only those offering more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Esthetics Degrees and Certificates

Hampstead MD esthetician client with face mask There are essentially two pathways offered to get esthetician training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs typically 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 all of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you prefer to specialize in just one area, for example esthetics. A degree program will also likely incorporate management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Hampstead MD business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you go with, it’s important to make certain that it’s certified by the Maryland Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the upcoming segment.

Online Esthetician Courses

woman attending esthetician school online in Hampstead MD Online esthetician classes are convenient for Hampstead MD students who are working full-time and have family commitments that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of online cosmetology school programs available that can be attended through a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology programs are typically fast paced since many courses are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a considerable portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you’re not devoting many hours away from your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it’s imperative that the school you choose can provide internship training in local salons and parlors to ensure that you also obtain the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to acquire 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 available in your area.

What to Ask Esthetics Trade Schools

Hampstead MD models benefit from esthetic treatments Following is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any esthetician training school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Hampstead residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the esthetician training program you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in 21074 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Hampstead MD employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any esthetician college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Hampstead MD salon owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, consult the Maryland school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of esthetician schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative 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 well regarded for that program. If your desire is to launch a Hampstead MD beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you need.

Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and mastering esthetician skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for other schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician school, it’s imperative that she or he receives aid in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develop relationships with Hampstead MD employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you learn what financial assistance may be available.

Attending Esthetician School Near Hampstead MD?

Perhaps you live in the Hampstead Maryland 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.

Hampstead, Maryland

Between 1736 and 1738, Robert Owings was assigned to "cut a new road as Christopher Gist had marked it" south from Conewago (now Hanover, Pennsylvania) to a point about halfway to Fort Garrison in Baltimore County. The village of Spring Garden became a stage-line stop on the new road and later became the town of Hampstead, named after Hampstead, in England.[6] The first settlers to the area were English immigrants who made their way west from the Port of Philadelphia. They were followed by Scots and Germans. Hampstead was used by farmers from surrounding areas as a center to obtain goods brought from Baltimore and to send produce to markets in Baltimore and Pennsylvania. The level and fertile land, coupled with the availability of lime, gave farmers important advantages for successful farming. In 1879, the Harrisburg Division of the Western Maryland Railroad reached Hampstead. The accessibility of the railroad attracted new residents and made dairy farming profitable.[citation needed]

Hampstead has developed from a farming community to a modern town of about 6,300 residents. Community activities center around the town’s numerous organizations and its schools - Hampstead Day, the Christmas Village, and school sporting events, for examples.

Hampstead’s Town Office was once located in a side room of the old First National Bank building on Main Street. (This building is now the Police Department’s station.) During the Depression the bank closed and was later purchased by Mayor Les Wheeler, who in 1950 rented it to the Town. In the late 1960s the Town Office moved to the basement of Hampstead Baptist Church on S. Carroll Street. In 1980 the church moved into a larger structure along Route 30 and Town Office, along with the Police Department, was able to utilize the entire building on S. Carroll Street. In 2000 the Police Department moved into the old First National Bank building, now fully restored - bringing the Town full circle. Although the Mayor and Council had the authority since 1888 to appoint constables, it wasn’t until the 1950s that James Boone became the Town’s first official police officer.

Find the Right Esthetics Program near Hampstead MD

Finding and enrolling in the right esthetician program is imperative to receive the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain 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 utilize that information to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions presented 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 start your new career as a professional esthetician in Hampstead MD.