How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Oak Bluffs MA

How to Choose an Esthetics Course near Oak Bluffs Massachusetts

Oak Bluffs MA esthetician client with cucumber facial Now that you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Oak Bluffs MA, the task begins to search for and enroll in the best program. It’s imperative that the program you pick not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be somewhat puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a little bit more regarding that in the next section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Oak Bluffs residence. Tuition will also be an important aspect when evaluating potential schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not automatically the ideal option. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are considering 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 Oak Bluffs MA Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but really a cosmetic can be anything that improves the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states require that you go through some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Oak Bluffs MA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a clientele, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many names and are employed in a wide range of specializations including:

Estheticians
Hairdressers
Hairstylists
Beauticians
Barbers
Manicurists
Nail Technicians
Makeup Artists
Hair Coloring Specialists
Electrolysis Technicians

As already stated, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those offering more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Esthetics Degrees and Certificates

Oak Bluffs MA esthetician client with face mask There are essentially two options offered 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 typically take 12 to 18 months to finish, 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. Shorter programs are available if you wish 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 Oak Bluffs MA business. Higher degrees are not typical, 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 essential to make sure that it’s approved by the Massachusetts Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only certify schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the next segment.

Online Esthetics Courses

woman attending esthetician school online in Oak Bluffs MA Online esthetician programs are advantageous for Oak Bluffs MA students who are working full-time and have family commitments that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many online cosmetology school programs available that can be attended by means of a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty programs are typically fast paced since many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a considerable portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are covering the same amount of material, but you are not spending many hours outside of your home or commuting to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s essential that the school you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors in order that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to acquire the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Esthetics Training Classes

Oak Bluffs MA models benefit from esthetic treatments Following is a series of questions that you should look into for any esthetician training school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Oak Bluffs home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish 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 preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the esthetician training program 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 guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in 02557 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Oak Bluffs MA employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every esthetician college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Oak Bluffs MA salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And last, contact the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? Some esthetician schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you choose a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your goal 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 dream is to open a Oak Bluffs MA beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.

Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting esthetician skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty program furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for other schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from an esthetician school, it’s crucial that he or she receives help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with Oak Bluffs MA employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments 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 Assistance Offered? The majority of esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and learn 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 accessible to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an option until you determine what financial aid may be offered.

Attending Esthetician School Near Oak Bluffs MA?

Perhaps you live in the Oak Bluffs Massachusetts 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.

Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts

Oak Bluffs (Wampanoag: Ogkeshkuppe) is a town located on the island of Martha's Vineyard in Dukes County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 4,527 at the 2010 United States Census. It is one of the island's principal points of arrival for summer tourists, and is noted for its "gingerbread cottages" and other well-preserved mid- to late-nineteenth-century buildings.

The first inhabitants of Oak Bluffs were the Wampanoag people, who have lived on Martha's Vineyard (Wampanoag name: Noepe) for approximately 10,000 years.[2] The area that is now Oak Bluffs was called "Ogkeshkuppe," which means "damp/wet thicket or woods." [3]

The area was later settled by Europeans in 1642 and was part of Edgartown until 1880, when it was officially incorporated as Cottage City. The town re-incorporated in 1907 as Oak Bluffs, named because the town was the site of an oak grove along the bluffs overlooking Nantucket Sound. Oak Bluffs was the only one of the six towns on the island to be consciously planned, and the only one developed specifically with tourism in mind.

Find the Right Esthetician Training Program near Oak Bluffs MA

Picking and enrolling in the right esthetician program is imperative to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the responses you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your career as a professional esthetician in Oak Bluffs MA.