How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools San Marcos TX

How to Find the Right Esthetician Course near San Marcos Texas

San Marcos TX esthetician client with cucumber facial Once you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near San Marcos TX, the task begins to search for and enroll in the ideal program. It’s imperative that the program you pick not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be a little bit unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll speak a little bit more about that in the upcoming section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your San Marcos residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical factor when reviewing possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not always the best choice. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are available.

What is Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners San Marcos TX Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more attractive through the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic can be almost anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you go through some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only San Marcos TX beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by 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 formerly stated, in the majority of states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In certain states there is an exception. Only those performing 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 get licensed in those states.

Esthetics Certificates and Degrees

San Marcos TX esthetician client with face mask There are basically two avenues available to obtain esthetician training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually take 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 main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you want to concentrate on just one area, such as esthetics. A degree program will also most likely incorporate management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other San Marcos TX business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you opt for, it’s important to make sure that it’s recognized by the Texas Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only approve schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the following segment.

Online Esthetician Programs

woman attending esthetician school online in San Marcos TX Online esthetician schools are convenient for San Marcos TX students who are working full-time and have family responsibilities that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty programs are often fast paced since many programs are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you are not devoting many hours away from your home or commuting back and forth from classes. However, it’s imperative that the training program you pick can provide internship training in local salons and parlors in order that you also obtain the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to gain the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. 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 Esthetics Trade Schools

San Marcos TX models benefit from esthetic treatments Below is a list of questions that you should research for any esthetician training school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your San Marcos home, together with the price of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue 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 should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the esthetician training program you choose 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 measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in 78666 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many San Marcos TX businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any esthetician school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with San Marcos TX salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And last, consult the Texas 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? Some esthetician schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your goal is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to open a San Marcos TX beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you require.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting esthetician techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty classes you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty program furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So search for other schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from an esthetician academy, it’s crucial that she or he receives aid in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with San Marcos TX employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? The majority of esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to 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 find out what financial help may be provided.

Attending Esthetician School Near San Marcos TX?

Perhaps you live in the San Marcos 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.

San Marcos, Texas

San Marcos (/ˌsæn ˈmɑːrkəs/ SAN MAR-kəs) is a city in the U.S. state of Texas, within the Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos metropolitan area. It is on the Interstate 35 corridor between Austin and San Antonio and is the seat of Hays County. Its limits extend into Caldwell and Guadalupe counties, as well. Its population was 44,894 at the 2010 census[2] and was an estimated 61,980 in 2016.[3]

Founded on the banks of the San Marcos River, the area is thought to be among the oldest continuously inhabited sites in the Americas. San Marcos is home to Texas State University and the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment.[4]

In 2010, San Marcos was listed in Business Week's fourth annual survey of the "Best Places to Raise your Kids".[5] In 2013 and 2014, the United States Census Bureau named it the fastest-growing city in the United States.[6][7] In December 2013, it was named #9 on Business Insider's list of the "10 Most Exciting Small Cities In America".[8]

Pick the Right Esthetician Program near San Marcos TX

Finding and enrolling in the right esthetician school is essential to receive the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to organize all of the responses you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your career as a professional esthetician in San Marcos TX.