How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Herculaneum MO

How to Choose an Esthetics Training Program near Herculaneum Missouri

Herculaneum MO esthetician client with cucumber facial Once you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Herculaneum MO, the process begins to search for and enroll in the ideal program. It’s imperative that the school you pick not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be a little bit confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll talk a bit more regarding that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Herculaneum residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when reviewing possible schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not always the best option. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are offered.

Defining Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Herculaneum MO Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful through the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states require that you take some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Herculaneum MO beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing clients either in their own residences or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many titles and work in a wide variety of specialties including:

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

As formerly mentioned, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption. Only those conducting more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Esthetician Certificates and Degrees

Herculaneum MO esthetician client with face mask There are primarily two avenues available to obtain 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 complete, while an Associate’s degree commonly takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you wish to focus on just one area, for instance esthetics. A degree program will also likely include management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Herculaneum MO business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you go with, it’s essential to make certain that it’s approved by the Missouri Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only approve schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the upcoming section.

Online Esthetics Programs

woman attending esthetician school online in Herculaneum MO Online esthetician programs are convenient for Herculaneum MO students who are working full-time and have family responsibilities that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous online beauty school programs offered that can be attended by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are typically fast paced since many courses are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a substantial portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you’re not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or driving back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s imperative that the school you choose can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to gain the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Esthetics Training Classes

Herculaneum MO models benefit from esthetic treatments Following is a list of questions that you need to research for any esthetician training school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Herculaneum residence, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely be your first 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 options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the esthetician school 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 63048 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Herculaneum MO employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each esthetician institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Herculaneum MO salon owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, 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 looked into. Finally, consult the Missouri school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Many esthetician schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically 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 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 launch a Herculaneum MO beauty salon, then you need 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 provide the training you need.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining esthetician techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for other schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it’s crucial that she or he receives support in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with Herculaneum MO businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations 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 regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an option until you learn what financial aid may be offered.

Attending Esthetician School Near Herculaneum MO?

Perhaps you live in the Herculaneum Missouri 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.

Herculaneum, Missouri

Herculaneum is a city in Jefferson County, Missouri, United States. The population was 3,468 at the 2010 census. The City of Herculaneum was the first county seat of Jefferson County from January 1, 1819 to 1839. The city celebrated its bicentennial throughout 2008. On August 21, 2017, the city of Herculaneum experienced two minutes and 32 seconds of totality during the Great American Eclipse of the Sun. The 2017 total solar eclipse was the first total eclipse in Herculaneum since 1442.

The city received the "Tree City USA" designation by the Arbor Day Foundation for 10 consecutive years, 2007 through 2016. The city is the honorary hometown of the 40th Airlift Squadron, "The Screaming Eagles," from Dyess Air Force Base in Texas.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.10 square miles (10.62 km2), of which 4.06 square miles (10.52 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) is water.[1]

Choose the Right Esthetics Program near Herculaneum MO

Choosing and enrolling in the right esthetician college is important to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Don’t forget to organize all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional esthetician in Herculaneum MO.