How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Mercedes TX

How to Choose an Esthetician Course near Mercedes Texas

Mercedes TX esthetician client with cucumber facial Now that you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Mercedes TX, the task starts to locate and enroll in the best program. It’s important that the program you choose not only provides the appropriate education for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be a little bit unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We’ll talk a bit further about that in the next segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Mercedes home. Tuition will additionally be a critical aspect when evaluating possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not necessarily the right choice. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are offered.

What is Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Mercedes TX Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human anatomy look more attractive through the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be almost anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states mandate that you undergo some kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Mercedes TX beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a client base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many names 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 previously stated, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In certain states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, such as 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.

Esthetics Degrees and Certificates

Mercedes TX esthetician client with face mask There are essentially two options offered to obtain esthetician training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually take 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 trained in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you wish to concentrate on just one area, such as esthetics. A degree program will also most likely feature management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Mercedes TX business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you decide on, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s approved by the Texas Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the next section.

Online Esthetician Classes

woman attending esthetician school online in Mercedes TX Online esthetician programs are accommodating for Mercedes TX students who are employed full-time and have family commitments that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are many web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be accessed via a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are often fast paced due to the fact that many courses are as short as six or eight months. This means that a significant portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not spending many hours outside of your home or commuting back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s important that the training program you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors in order that you also receive the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So make sure if you choose to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Esthetician Programs

Mercedes TX models benefit from esthetic treatments Below is a series of questions that you should look into for any esthetician training school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Mercedes home, together with the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly 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 choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the esthetician college you pick 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in 78570 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 Mercedes TX businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every esthetician college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good 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 regarded. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Mercedes TX salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. Finally, consult the Texas school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of esthetician schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s important that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your intention is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to launch a Mercedes TX beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you need.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering esthetician techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty academy offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore look for other schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from an esthetician school, it’s crucial that he or she gets support in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid develop relationships with Mercedes TX businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, 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. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Talk to 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 fulfills each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an alternative before you learn what financial aid may be offered.

Attending Esthetician School Near Mercedes TX?

Perhaps you live in the Mercedes Texas 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.

Mercedes, Texas

Mercedes is located in southeastern Hidalgo County at 26°8′58″N 97°55′7″W / 26.14944°N 97.91861°W / 26.14944; -97.91861 (26.149315, -97.918675).[4] It is bordered to the west by Weslaco and to the east, in Cameron County, by La Feria.

The Interstate 2/U.S. Route 83 freeway passes through the northern side of Mercedes, leading west 21 miles (34 km) to McAllen and east 14 miles (23 km) to Harlingen. Mercedes is 9 miles (14 km) north of the Progreso–Nuevo Progreso International Bridge over the Rio Grande, connecting Texas with the Mexican state of Tamaulipas.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Mercedes has a total area of 11.5 square miles (29.8 km2), of which 11.4 square miles (29.6 km2) are land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km2), or 0.55%, are water.[3]

Select the Right Esthetics College near Mercedes TX

Selecting and enrolling in the ideal esthetician program is important to get the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to organize all of the responses you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. 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 ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to start your career as a professional esthetician in Mercedes TX.