How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Kennett Square PA

How to Enroll In an Esthetician Course near Kennett Square Pennsylvania

Kennett Square PA esthetician client with cucumber facial Once you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and enroll in an esthetician school near Kennett Square PA, the process begins to search for and enroll in the ideal program. It’s imperative that the school you choose not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you might be a little bit unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We’ll talk a little bit further about that in the following segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Kennett Square residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical aspect when assessing potential schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not automatically the best option. There are many 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 looking at later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are offered.

Defining Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Kennett Square PA Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more attractive with the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word 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, almost all states mandate that you undergo some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Kennett Square PA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many titles and are employed in a wide variety of specializations including:

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

As previously stated, in most states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption. Only those offering more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Esthetician Degrees

Kennett Square PA esthetician client with face mask There are essentially two avenues offered to get esthetician training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs generally require 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree usually takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you wish to specialize in just one area, for instance esthetics. A degree program will also likely include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Kennett Square PA business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you decide on, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s approved by the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology. Many states only approve schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the following section.

Online Esthetics Courses

woman attending esthetician school online in Kennett Square PA Online esthetician schools are convenient for Kennett Square PA students who are employed full-time and have family commitments that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of online cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed through a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty programs are often fast paced due to the fact that many programs are as short as six or eight months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours away from your home or travelling to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s essential that the training program you choose can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors to ensure that you also get the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to gain the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Esthetician Training Courses

Kennett Square PA models benefit from esthetic treatments Following is a list of questions that you should research for any esthetician training program you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Kennett Square residence, as well as the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the esthetician training program you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in 19348 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Kennett Square PA employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any esthetician college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding 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. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Kennett Square PA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, consult the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Many esthetician schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you choose a school that focuses on 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 respected for that program. If your desire is to start a Kennett Square PA beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you need.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting esthetician techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a beauty program provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So try to find other schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it’s imperative that he or she receives aid in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with Kennett Square PA employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which salons and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Available? The majority of esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out 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 as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an option until you determine what financial help may be available.

Attending Esthetician School Near Kennett Square PA?

Perhaps you live in the Kennett Square Pennsylvania 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.

Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

Kennett Square is a borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is known as the Mushroom Capital of the World[4] because mushroom farming in the region produces over a million pounds of mushrooms a day, totaling half of the United States mushroom crop.[5] To celebrate this heritage, Kennett Square has an annual Mushroom Festival, where the town shuts down to have a parade, tour mushroom farms, and buy and sell food and other goods. It is also home to the corporate headquarters of Genesis HealthCare which administers elderly care facilities. The local high school is Kennett High School. Its population was 6,072 at the 2010 census.[6]

The area to become known as Kennett Square was originally inhabited by the Lenape Native Americans. The town was originally called Kennet Square, with the name "Kennet", England, and "Square" coming from the original land grant from William Penn of one square mile. General Sir William Howe marched through Kennett to the Battle of Brandywine during the American Revolution. It was also known as an important part of the Underground Railroad, which helped slaves escaping to the North for freedom. Many of its prominent citizens helped slaves escape on the Underground Railroad. In 1853, a group asked for Kennett Square to be incorporated, and by 1855 it held elections.

Kennett Square's founder is credited with introducing mushroom growing to the area. He grew carnations, a popular local commodity around 1885, and wanted to make use of the wasted space under the elevated beds. He imported spawn from Europe and started experimenting with mushroom cultivation.

Enroll in the Right Esthetician Training Program near Kennett Square PA

Selecting and enrolling in the ideal esthetician school is imperative to get the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to organize all of the responses you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional 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 proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional esthetician in Kennett Square PA.