Think you can't afford it? There are tons of loans, grants and scholarships for aspiring spa and beauty professionals.
Learn how to finance a massage school in your geographic area.
In a time when the economy continues to be difficult to navigate and many people are considering their career options, you might be wondering if it’s the right time to start massage school. While there is always a benefit to increasing your education....
One of the best ways to pay for massage school is to earn a scholarship (or several scholarships) to help cover the costs of tuition, fees, and supplies. Scholarships, which don’t have to be repaid and are usually offered based on financial status and personal....
The Minnesota School of Cosmetology prepares students to become cosmetologists, estheticians, and other careers in the beauty industry. Although they don’t offer a massage therapy program, many of the courses do overlap with the massage industry, and students can develop the basic skills needed to provide light massage in a skin care or cosmetology setting. The Woodbury, Minnesota setting is small and cozy, and most students enjoy the focused attention that results from a low student-to-teacher ratio.
The Minnesota School of Cosmetology (MSC) is a cosmetic training center serving the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. All work is done in a professional salon setting that gives students the most hands-on learning time possible. The school has been in operation for over 60 years, having first opened in 1950 as the Minnesota Cosmetology Education Center. It was renamed in 2003 when it came under new ownership.
MSC is owned and operated by the Globe Education Network (GEN), which oversees a number of career-level schools around the United States. Other schools within the GEN name include Globe University, Minnesota School of Business, Duluth Business University, Institute of Production and Recording, Benchmark Learning, and Broadview University. Several of these schools offer a more in-depth and focused massage therapy training option, and transferring credits from one school to another under the GEN name may be a possibility.
Minnesota School of Cosmetology 1750 Weir Drive Woodbury, MN 55125
Students who attend MSC learn the basics of hair design, nail technology, and skin care, as well as a few basic massage techniques. The massage component of the training course is limited to arm and hand massage (for those getting manicures), foot massage (for those getting pedicures), scalp massage (for those getting the hair done), and facial massage (for those getting skin care treatments). Additional coursework includes spa treatments and other beautification techniques.
For the student who is interested in massage therapy as a healthcare field, this school probably isn’t the best fit. No accreditation or licensure related to massage is offered, and the bulk of the coursework revolves around hair and nail care. However, if you would like to enter the spa industry with a combined focus on overall body wellness and cosmetology, this could be the educational opportunity for you.
Instructors at MSC have both expertise in the field of cosmetology and access to advanced techniques and practices. A full instructor list (including their individual credentials) is available on the school website. In most cases, class sizes are small so that the amount of one-on-one interaction is maximized.
The Woodbury campus offers salon-style clinic floors where the bulk of learning takes place. A new facility in Plymouth is expected to open in early 2012, offering the same setting and educational opportunities. Classes are offered on a rotating schedule and can accommodate a full time, part time, or evening schedule.
MSC is nationally accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACCAS). This means that the school is recognized by the United States Department of Education as a cosmetology school. It is also licensed to operate by the State of Minnesota.
Students who need help paying for school are encouraged to contact the school’s financial aid representatives for assistance in identifying funding sources and filling out the necessary applications. Most students can expect to fill out the FAFSA form to determine eligibility for federal funding in the form of loans (which must be paid back) or grants. Other financial aid options include veteran benefits and private loans, which are dependent on credit rating and personal finances.
Woodbury is a popular suburb of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. With a fairly small population and a focus on families, Woodbury is the kind of place many people choose to live for a quieter, more serene way of life. At the same time, proximity to the city centers mean that you can still enjoy the commerce and activity of the metropolitan hub. Many students in the cosmetology industry go on to work in a larger city, while others remain in Woodbury for the great outdoor features (including over 3,000 acres of parkland and various golf courses) and cozy community atmosphere.
© 2012 Massage Schools Guide