Pursuing an esthetics education is the most important first step you can take toward a rewarding career as an esthetician. While every state’s specific rules are different, all estheticians must complete esthetics school before they can take their certification test.

But the right esthetics school for your education requires a lot more consideration than you may realize. You not only want to attend a school that meets the minimum state requirements for training – but you also want to be sure it is the right fit for you. Does the school you’re looking at offer additional career training, like social media marketing? Does the environment replicate that of a professional spa?

It is important to attend a school where you will learn the principles and techniques needed for your future career while you’re in a supportive and professional environment.

A great way to get a good sense of your learning experience at an esthetics school is to schedule a tour before you apply! Not only will you get to see the campus in real life, but you’ll have the opportunity to interact with teachers, administrators, and fellow students, plus going to the school can give you an idea on how long it takes to get there, what transportation options you have, and if you like the look of the school itself!

But to find out the right information, you need to know what questions to ask while you are on this tour. Here are just a few of the important questions you should bring up while touring the campus to see if it’s the right school for you.

1. What Esthetics Education Programs are Available? What Can I Learn in Those Programs?

In addition to basic esthetics training to earn your state license, you may want to specialize in specific services to help you with your career. Many estheticians earn additional certifications after completing esthetics school so they can offer more services to their clients.

Make sure to ask about any class add-ons or continuing education courses offered at the school. Here at Skinworks School of Advanced Skincare, our goal is to help prepare you with all the skills you need to become a successful licensed esthetician and so much more. You can choose from:

Basic Esthetics Course

Any new estheticians looking to get started in this field can start with the basic esthetics course. Here, you can learn all of the state-required classes to meet Utah’s requirement of 600 hours for a basic esthetician license. This includes basic esthetics training, hair removal, makeup, eye enhancement, and business and professional skills.

Master Esthetics Program

Once you have earned your basic esthetic license, you can enroll in the Master Esthetics Program to earn medical and advanced skincare training. This 900-hour continued education course trains estheticians on medical devices and lasers which are commonly used in dermatology and med spa offices.

Comprehensive Esthetics Program

If you want to take your training one step further, consider our comprehensive program. This is a full 1,200-hour course to earn your Utah Master Esthetician license. This program includes all of the basic training and master esthetics training rolled into one program. If your goal is to become a master esthetician, choosing this program can help you move toward your career goals faster than doing the basic and master course separately.

However, not every esthetics school in the state offers these programs and the additional lash extension training that our esthetics programs includes. Make sure to ask the school about what makes their program stand out and get a full list of what you can learn to make the right choice for you.

2. How Long Does the Program Take to Complete?

Every state has a requirement of total hours for estheticians to complete. In Utah, this ranges from 600 to 1,200 hours, depending on the type of esthetician license you apply for. But the length of the training depends on class times and school schedules.

As you tour the esthetics school, be sure to ask if they offer full-time, part-time, or evening and weekend classes to fit your schedule. Typically, evening courses are shorter, so it may take you longer to complete your training.

For instance, the full-time master esthetics training course at Skinworks School of Advanced Skincare takes 40 weeks to complete. However, evening and weekend classes go on for 55 weeks. You can choose the schedule that fits your timeline!

3. How Can the School Help Me Achieve My Future Career?

Once you graduate and earn your license, there are many career opportunities you can pursue. You can be qualified to work in a med spa practicing as an esthetician, offering facials, selling products, and providing skincare services. Another option is to start your own practice or rent out a space in a spa.

But finding a job directly after esthetics school can be tricky, so you should ask what services the school offers to help. For example, Skinworks School of Advanced Skincare offers Skinworks Business Classes for additional training on marketing, accounting, and budgeting to help you with your future career.

Something you may or may not consider is how the school helps you market yourself on social media. Instagram is becoming more and more of a tool to build a portfolio and build your book of business. During the tour, ask the school what they teach students in areas like business and marketing for a better idea of if they can help you achieve a successful career.

This is something especially unique to Skinworks School of Advanced Skincare, because we offer extensive social media training to help you transition from your esthetics education to a career you love. In fact, we often have guest speakers come speak to our students about the importance of social media marketing. You won’t get this experience anywhere else!

4. Will I Get To Provide Services in a Student Spa?

While you will get to practice esthetic techniques in the classroom, it is important to earn real hands-on experience before you graduate. Getting practice in a student spa is extremely beneficial. This will not only help you pass your test but also can prepare you for your career.

Be sure to ask lots of questions on your tour about the school’s student spa, such as:

• What services are offered?
• How soon can you practice with guests?
• How are students supervised during these services?
• Is there a required number of hours students must practice in the spa?

At Skinworks School of Advanced Skincare, the spa experience is especially important to us. When you walk through, don’t hesitate to ask questions about what makes the spa experience different from other schools, from the choice of products to the unique atmosphere of our student spa.

5. What Types of Financial Aid are Offered?

The cost of an esthetics education is often a key determining factor when choosing a school. Thankfully, many esthetics schools will offer some type of financial aid assistance or program. But you should be sure to ask for further details while on your tour.

Be sure to meet with the financial aid department and ask about what options you can apply for. Accredited beauty schools, including Skinworks School of Advanced Skincare, provide Title IV deferral programs. This allows students to apply for Pell Grants and federal loans through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®).

You should also inquire about any scholarships offered by the school or through other organizations. Most federal aid departments can give you information on esthetic school scholarship offerings.

So, some questions you should be sure to ask are:

• Is this esthetics school accredited by COE (Council of Occupational Education) or DOE (Department of Education)?
• Do you offer any grants?
• Does this school offer scholarships?
• What are my first steps to start my financial aid process?

6. What Should I Expect as a Student at Your School?

When choosing an esthetics school, you have to be sure you’ll love the culture and environment you are learning in! Ask questions about the rules and policies of the school, and you may also want to get some insight from students about how they feel about day-to-day life. Some esthetics schools have stricter requirements for their students than others – and you might want to consider this when applying.

Be sure to ask about the school’s policies on things like:

• Class absences
• Passing grade requirements
• Make up work
• Uniforms or dress codes
• Campus rules

You may also want to ask the school what people love about their experience at the school. Or, you can find a school’s reviews online to see how one school might be a better fit for you.

7. What Do I Need to Know Before I Start?

If you get a sense on your tour that this school could be a good fit, make sure you ask about the next steps. Before you apply and enroll, you’ll want to know:

• Where can I pick up an application?
• What paperwork do I need to submit first?
• What supplies will I need for the first day of class?
• Will a student kit be provided?

Another tip is to make a list of any questions you can think of while on your tour and write out the answers as you ask. You can then refer back to this information as you consider which school you want to apply for.

Ready to Schedule a Tour?

If you are on the hunt for an esthetics school in Utah, consider coming to check out Skinworks School of Advanced Skincare. You can schedule a tour of our South Salt Lake campus and see our training programs in action. We are also more than happy to answer any questions you have about our esthetics education courses! Just give us a call at 801-530-0001 today!