How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Grand Rapids MI

How to Find the Right Esthetician Program near Grand Rapids Michigan

Grand Rapids MI esthetician client with cucumber facial Since you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Grand Rapids MI, the task starts to search for and enroll in the right program. It’s imperative that the program you choose not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be a little bit puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll talk a bit further concerning that in the following section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Grand Rapids home. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when assessing prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not always the best option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance 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 talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are available.

Definition of Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Grand Rapids MI Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human anatomy look more beautiful through the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term 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, the majority of states require that you go through some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Grand Rapids MI beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a customer base, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many 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 the majority of states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption. Only those performing more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Esthetics Degrees

Grand Rapids MI esthetician client with face mask There are basically two avenues offered to get esthetician training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs normally require 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree commonly takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you prefer to focus on just one area, for instance esthetics. A degree program will also probably incorporate management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Grand Rapids MI business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you choose, it’s essential to make sure that it’s recognized by the Michigan Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the following section.

Online Esthetician Schools

woman attending esthetician school online in Grand Rapids MI Online esthetician classes are accommodating for Grand Rapids MI students who are working full time and have family commitments that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of online beauty school programs offered that can be attended via a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty schools are typically fast paced since many courses are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a considerable amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you’re not spending numerous hours away from your home or travelling to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s essential that the program you select can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Esthetician Training Courses

Grand Rapids MI models benefit from esthetic treatments Following is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any esthetician training program you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Grand Rapids residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the esthetician school you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in 49501 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Grand Rapids MI businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each esthetician school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews together with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Grand Rapids MI salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And last, check with the Michigan school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? Many esthetician schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating 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 frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you choose a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your intention 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 vision is to open a Grand Rapids MI beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you need.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and refining esthetician skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a beauty program furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So search for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it’s essential that he or she receives support in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with Grand Rapids MI employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out 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 too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative before you find out what financial help may be provided.

Attending Esthetician School Near Grand Rapids MI?

Perhaps you live in the Grand Rapids Michigan 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.

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Grand Rapids is the second-largest city in Michigan, and the largest city in West Michigan. It is on the Grand River about 30 miles (48 km) east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 1,005,648, and the combined statistical area of Grand Rapids-Muskegon-Holland had a population of 1,321,557. Grand Rapids is the county seat of Kent County.[7]

A historic furniture-manufacturing center, Grand Rapids is home to five of the world's leading office furniture companies, and is nicknamed Furniture City. Its more common modern nickname of River City[by whom?] refers to the landmark river for which it was named. The city and surrounding communities are economically diverse, based in the health care, information technology, automotive, aviation, and consumer goods manufacturing industries, among others.

For thousands of years, succeeding cultures of indigenous peoples occupied the area. Over 2000 years ago, people associated with the Hopewell culture occupied the Grand River Valley.[9] Later, a tribe from the Ottawa River traveled to the Grand River valley, fighting three battles with the Prairie Indians who were established in the area.[10] The tribe later split, with the Chippewas settling in the northern lower peninsula, the Pottawatomies staying south of the Kalamazoo River and the Ottawa staying in central Michigan.[10]

Choose the Right Esthetics Training Program near Grand Rapids MI

Picking and enrolling in the right esthetician school is important to receive the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Don’t forget to organize all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal 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 Grand Rapids MI.