How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Houghton NY

How to Choose an Esthetician Course near Houghton New York

Houghton NY esthetician client with cucumber facial Now that you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Houghton NY, the process starts to search for and enroll in the best program. It’s imperative that the program you choose not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be somewhat unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a bit more about that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Houghton home. Tuition will additionally be a critical aspect when evaluating potential schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not necessarily the right option. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning 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 programs are offered.

What is Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Houghton NY Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more beautiful with the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states require that you undergo some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Houghton NY beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a customer base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing customers either in their own residences or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many titles 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 earlier mentioned, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption. Only those conducting more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Esthetician Certificates and Degrees

Houghton NY esthetician client with face mask There are essentially two avenues offered to obtain 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 usually require 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate’s degree ordinarily takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you prefer to specialize in just one area, for instance esthetics. A degree program will also most likely incorporate management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Houghton NY business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you choose, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s certified by the New York Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the upcoming section.

Online Esthetician Courses

woman attending esthetician school online in Houghton NY Online esthetician schools are accommodating for Houghton NY students who are working full-time and have family responsibilities that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended via a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are often fast paced since many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a substantial amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet courses, you are covering the same volume of material, but you are not spending numerous hours outside of your home or driving back and forth from classes. However, it’s vital that the school you pick can provide internship training in local salons and parlors in order that you also get the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Esthetics Degree Programs

Houghton NY models benefit from esthetic treatments Following is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any esthetician training program you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Houghton residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have put together some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the esthetician school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in 14744 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 Houghton NY 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? Any esthetician institute that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Houghton NY salon owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, check with the New York school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? Many esthetician schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you pick a school that focuses on 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 desire is to open a Houghton NY beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting esthetician techniques and abilities involves lots 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 allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty academy offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. So look for other schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from an esthetician program, it’s crucial that he or she receives assistance in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with Houghton NY employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 accessible to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an alternative before you learn what financial aid may be available.

Attending Esthetician School Near Houghton NY?

Perhaps you live in the Houghton New York 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.

Houghton, New York

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 1,748 people, 313 households, and 180 families residing in the region. The population density was 715.5 per square mile (276.6/km²). There were 333 housing units at an average density of 136.3/sq mi (52.7/km²). The racial makeup of the community was 95.37% White, 1.54% African American, 0.11% Native American, 1.20% Asian, 0.86% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.35% of the population.

There were 313 households out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 3.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.2% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.17.

In the area the population was spread out with 11.0% under the age of 18, 59.4% from 18 to 24, 10.1% from 25 to 44, 8.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 21 years. For every 100 females, there were 70.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 67.7 males.

Find the Right Esthetician Vocational School near Houghton NY

Choosing and enrolling in the right esthetician college is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the information you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your career as a professional esthetician in Houghton NY.