Spa & Beauty School Accreditation

Accreditation Committee

You may have seen the word "accreditation" come up a lot and wondered what it really means. Accreditation is simply one way to evaluate the quality of education a school offers. To help you understand a little bit more about accreditation and what it entails before you choose a spa or beauty school, we've put together a quick guide to get you started.

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What is accreditation?

Accreditation means that a school meets minimal national standards of educational performance, as established by the Department of Education (DOE). Accrediting agencies evaluate the quality of the school's curriculum, faculty, admissions policies and facilities. Some spa and beauty schools and programs are accredited while others are not. How this impacts you will depend on your specialty and where you want to practice.

What are the other benefits of accreditation?

Aside from the academic stamp of approval, here are some other important things to keep in mind when trying to decide whether your school needs to be accredited:

Financial Aid – State and federal financial aid programs require your school to be accredited and recognized by the US Department of Education before they can offer financial aid assistance.

Transfer of Credits – Other schools may only recognize degrees from accredited schools and programs. So, if you are thinking about possibly switching schools or pursuing more education down the road, keep in mind that your credits will only transfer if they’re from an accredited school.

Licensing – Some specialties, such as massage therapy, require licensure in order to work in a particular state. In many states, you have to have training from an accredited institution before you qualify for licensure. Again, research your specialty’s requirements in the state where you plan to practice before you choose your school.

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Does my school have to be accredited? What if it's not?

Spa and beauty schools are eligible for accreditation, and many undergo the rigorous accreditation process since, in some states and professions, education from an accredited school is required in order to practice legally.

When it is not mandatory, some schools choose not to pursue accreditation. For example, a small program may not have the human and financial resources necessary to obtain and sustain accreditation. It can be a time-consuming, paperwork-heavy and expensive process.

However, schools that are committed to training qualified professionals will seek to align themselves with standards developed by respected professional organizations in the field. If a program is not accredited, find out if they follow any national standards of training.

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Who are the accrediting agencies?

Beauty School Seal of Approval

Accrediting agencies are impartial nongovernmental agencies recognized by the US Department of Education, and sometimes the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Accrediting boards can be regional or national and can accredit institutions or specific departments or schools within an institution. The accrediting agencies evaluate schools based on specific criteria such as the number of teachers, the quality of instruction, and the depth and magnitude of programs or courses offered.

The accrediting agencies work with professionals in each spa and beauty specialty to develop standards, establish procedures and evaluate training programs. Some spa and beauty schools may even be reviewed by their peers from other schools to help establish an acceptable and competitive standard. The accrediting agencies also revise standards and procedures frequently to keep up to date with changes in each career specialty field.

In the tables below, you will see that for some fields, there is one major accrediting body while others have several. There are also professions that do not have any established accrediting bodies. It really depends on the field, so learn what accreditation applies for training programs in your career of interest:

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Career School Accreditation

Professions

General Career Specialties

Accrediting Bodies

Overview

These organizations help establish and advance quality education for various specialties at many levels:

  • ACCSCT is an accrediting agency that accredits private postsecondary career schools and colleges.
  • ACICS accredits private postsecondary institutions offering certificates or diplomas in the professional, technical or occupational careers, including programs through distance education.
  • ACCET accredits private postsecondary career schools and colleges in continuing education and training.
  • COE is a national accrediting agency that recognizes careers in a variety of technical fields.
  • DETC is a nonprofit educational association which serves as a source of information for distance study and correspondence education.

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Accreditation of Cosmetology Schools

Professions

Barber, Esthetician, Electrologist, Hair Designer, Holistic Skin Care, Makeup Artist, Permanent Makeup Artist and Nail Technician/Manicurist

Accrediting Body

National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS)

Overview

Schools are re-evaluated at least once every five years. Continuation of accreditation depends on maintaining established standards.


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Accreditation of Massage & Bodywork Schools

Professions

Massage Therapy, Acupressure, Reflexology, Reiki, Shiatsu, Stone Therapy and Thai Massage

Accrediting Bodies

Overview

COMTA is the accrediting agency most focused on massage, but NACCAS accreditation is common in schools with programs in massage and cosmetology. The other accrediting agencies address various training niches or more general categories. For example, ABHES focuses on allied health professions, so massage schools that teach clinical massage are more likely to be accredited by that agency.

For small programs that focus on only one specialty, such as reflexology, accreditation may not be an option because they normally supplement another specialty. However, these programs may be approved by a respected national agency in the field, such as the American Reflexology Certification Board (ARCB).

For acupressure, shiatsu and Thai bodywork, many schools also follow training standards established by the American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia (AOBTA).

Most states in the US do not regulate the practice of Reiki, so most Reiki training programs are not accredited. In Florida and Utah, you must be licensed as a massage therapist in order to practice Reiki.


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Accreditation of Colon Hydrotherapy Schools

Profession

Colon Hydrotherapy

Accrediting Body

Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)

Overview

Colon hydrotherapy training is most often provided as continuing education for medical professionals. In most states you must be a medical professional to oversee a colon hydrotherapy session.

Colon hydrotherapy may also be taught as part of an accredited massage school program (see Accreditation of Massage & Bodywork Schools).

The International Association for Colon Hydrotherapy (I-ACT) provides a list of recognized schools teaching colon hydrotherapy. I-ACT also oversees the voluntary certification process for colon hydrotherapists.


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Accreditation of Aromatherapy Schools

Profession

Aromatherapy

Accrediting Body

None

Overview

The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) offers a list of approved schools that meet the minimum standards of training established by the NAHA Council for Aromatherapy Schools and Educators.


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Make an Educated Decision

Even though some specialties, like aromatherapy, do not offer accreditation, it is still important to research your field of interest to determine the kind of school and program you need to get your career started successfully. Check your state’s local government site for licensing requirements, followed by the DOE site for accreditation information.

Now that you know a little more about accreditation, you can start to look for the right spa or beauty school for you.

Related Articles:

View all our Spa and Beauty Articles to learn more about the spa, massage and beauty industry.

Return to the Spa & Beauty Career Center home page.

Looking for Spa, Massage or Beauty Schools?

Try our Spa, Massage & Beauty Schools page. There you will find a comprehensive list of schools which offer program descriptions. You can also request information from the schools that interest you most.

 

Sources:
US Department of Education, 9/2007
Massage Today, An MPA Media Publication, 2007



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