Are you interested in becoming an Esthetician (skin care therapist)? One of your first steps toward starting your new skin care career will be choosing the right esthetician school for you. We’ve outlined some important information below that you should consider when comparing and choosing esthetics schools.
Accreditation
National Accreditation means that the school has voluntarily decided to participate in rigorous oversight of a recognized accrediting agency. Such oversight makes sure that the school performs to national standards and offers a comprehensive esthetics curriculum.
Nationally Accredited Title IV schools can also offer Federal financial assistance (to those who qualify).
Find out more information about why accreditation is important.
Financial Assistance
Esthetics school tuition is an investment in your future. Depending on the school and program you choose, there are a number of options available that can help to reduce some of the financial burden of starting your new career. For those that qualify, options may include Federal Financial Aid, scholarships, payment plans, and personal loans.
- Federal Financial Aid
- Scholarships
- Payment Plans
- Personal Loans
Nationally Accredited Title IV esthetics schools are able to offer Federal Financial Aid to those who qualify. Prospective students submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine what amount of financial aid they may qualify for. An important distinction between Nationally Accredited schools and those who simply pay to be approved by organizations such as CIDESCO. is the ability to offer Federal Financial Aid to whose who qualify.
Scholarships can help to lower tuition costs or, in some cases, cover the entire amount. Scholarships are sometimes offered through local community organizations, employers, industry groups, or the esthetics school itself. Be sure to ask about any available scholarship opportunities. You may need to qualify by writing an essay or submitting certain documentation.
Some skin care schools offer flexible payment plans that allow students to break up their tuition cost into more manageable payments spread across the length of their enrollment. Ask about monthly payment options and whether or not there is interest added to payment plans for esthetics programs. Most esthetics schools are willing to create a flexible payment plan that allows you to achieve your esthetics career goals without taking on a lot of debt.
If none of these other financial assistance options are available or if you don’t qualify, consider talking to your bank. You may be able to qualify for a personal loan which could cover the cost of tuition. Loan repayment terms will vary by bank and borrower so be sure to ask about loan interest, when repayment is set to begin, and how many payments will be needed. Also, find out about any other added fees such as late payment penalties.
Curriculum
Ask your admissions representative for details about what is included in the curriculum for the esthetics program. Ask questions such as: Do they offer training for only facials and basic peels or do they also offer training in topics such as waxing, threading, advanced peeling, laser training, and eyelash extensions as well? What about ingredient and product knowledge? Is everything included in the tuition cost or are certain classes available for an extra fee? A comprehensive esthetics program, such as that offered by Estelle, should include a good balance between traditional techniques and state-of-the-art procedures and ingredient knowledge.
Exclusively Esthetics
If you’re only interested in skin care, a school that offers exclusively esthetics education instead of one that offers a variety of education programs (i.e cosmetology, massage, nail technology, etc.) may be best for you. If a school only focuses on their esthetics program, generally the curriculum will be of better quality and produce a more well-rounded esthetics education.
Instructors & Class Size
Instructor experience and licensure are important factors to consider when choosing an esthetics school. Ask if the instructors are licensed (if required in your state) and how long they have been teaching esthetics. Does the school employ licensed esthetics instructors or only cosmetology instructors?
Instructors with a variety of backgrounds can be very beneficial while you’re in school. Learning different techniques or procedures from your instructors will help you to gain more experience before your graduate so that you’re ready to enter the job market as soon as you get your license. It’s in your best interest to try out as much as you can while still in school.
Class sizes are another factor to consider. Although you likely don’t want to attend a program where classes are 30+ students to ensure you receive attention from the instructors, a school with too few students may not be ideal either. If your class will only have a few students you won’t be able to practice on a wide-variety of skin types and conditions. Seeking out a program that has a higher number of students paired with an appropriate amount of instructors will provide the attention you need along with a good amount of practice. Class sizes of 12-20 or so can be great to ensure a rich educational experience. Remember, you’ll start by practicing on your fellow classmates!
Top Esthetician School in Illinois
If you’re searching for an esthetics school in Illinois, consider Estelle Skin Care & Spa Institute in Skokie. Estelle Skin Care and Spa Institute is accredited by National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences, Inc. (NACCAS). We offer an industry-leading esthetics program with experienced instructors, along with affordable tuition and financial assistance options. For more information, call (847) 329-9174 or click here.