As a future beauty professional, whether you’re considering a career in esthetics, clinical aesthetics, massage therapy, or the broader beauty and wellness industry, one critical decision is choosing the right educational environment for YOU. One of the most common questions we receive at The New Age Spa Institute (NASI) is:
“Does NASI offer open enrollment, and is it beneficial in a trade school setting?”
While open enrollment programs may be effective for certain academic settings, they’re not ideal for hands-on, skill-based education like esthetics or massage therapy. At NASI, we’ve designed our structured, cohort-based programs to prioritize student success by fostering a focused and structured learning environment.
What Is Open Enrollment aka Rolling Enrollment?
Open enrollment programs allow students to begin classes anytime, without fixed start or graduation dates. While this flexibility can work in certain academic settings, it’s less effective for hands-on disciplines such as esthetics, nail technology, or massage therapy. New students entering a “rolling enrollment” program often join groups already at different levels of education, creating significant disparities in experience and learning. Open enrollment has an impact on all students, new and advanced.
Impact on New Students?
Imagine starting your esthetics or massage therapy education with classmates who have already been in the program for months. While this may seem manageable at first, the reality is challenging. New students can struggle to keep pace with advanced peers, especially when foundational skills such as skin physiology, basic massage techniques, or beginner facials are missing. This can create frustration and impede confidence, particularly in a hands-on profession where practice is key.
Impact on Advanced Students?
For advanced students, welcoming new classmates can also be disruptive. Instructors may need to revisit basic concepts for newcomers, leading to repeated interruptions and slower progress for the entire class. This can create an uneven learning environment where neither new nor experienced students receive the focused, high-quality education they deserve. Advanced students looking to perfect techniques like microchanneling, hydrotherapy massage, or dermaplaning often find open enrollment frustrating and less productive.
Why Choose a Structured, Cohort-Based Program?
At The New Age Spa Institute, we’ve embraced a structured, cohort-based model—for good reason. Here’s how this approach benefits our students:
- Cohesion and Community: All students in a cohort start and graduate together. This fosters a sense of community, teamwork, and mutual support, which are essential in beauty and wellness professions.
- Consistent Learning Progression: Our small class sizes move at a unified pace. This allows esthetics and massage students to build on foundational knowledge before tackling advanced topics. For example:
- Esthetics students progress from learning basic facial techniques (e., enzyme exfoliation with steamer, deep cleansing massage, serums and masks) to mastering advanced modalities like LASER and IPL, nanochanneling, and chemical peels.
- Massage therapy students follow a similar trajectory, starting with Swedish massage (e., effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, vibration, friction) before advancing to manual lymphatic drainage, sports massage, and fascia stretching.
- Enhanced Instructor Support: Our expert educators can better track each student’s progress, providing personalized guidance and ensuring no one is left behind. This results in a higher-quality learning experience tailored to individual needs.
- Preparation for Licensing and Certification: A structured program equips esthetics and massage students with the comprehensive knowledge and practical skills required to pass state board exams (i.e., MBLEX) and obtain professional licenses in esthetics, massage therapy, or nail technology.
- Long-Lasting Connections: Cohort-based learning often leads to lifelong friendships and professional networks. These connections can be invaluable as students transition into their careers, opening doors to collaboration and mentorship. Networking is part of the groundwork that will fuel your future career in beauty and wellness.
Programs Offered at NASI
At The New Age Spa Institute, we pride ourselves on delivering CIDESCO-accredited education that sets students apart in the competitive beauty industry. Our programs include:
- Esthetics License
- Clinical Aesthetics Certification
- Massage Therapy License
- Master Clinical Aesthetics Certification
- Professional Makeup Artistry Certification
Located in Des Plaines, IL, NASI serves students across the Chicagoland area and neighboring states like Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan. Our structured programs combine theory, hands-on training, and cutting-edge technology to prepare students for thriving careers in beauty and wellness.
Why NASI Stands Out
Choosing The New Age Spa Institute means joining a school committed to excellence, innovation, and student success. With highly experienced instructors, industry-recognized certifications, and a supportive learning environment, NASI helps aspiring beauty professionals achieve their goals.
Whether you’re pursuing esthetics, clinical esthetics, or massage therapy, our cohort-based model ensures you receive a comprehensive education that aligns with your aspirations. Start your journey with NASI and unlock the potential for a rewarding career in beauty and wellness.
Ready to Begin Your Beauty and Wellness Journey?
Discover why The New Age Spa Institute is the top choice for aspiring estheticians, clinical estheticians, and massage therapists. Join a community that values structure, quality, and success. Explore our programs today and take the first step toward a bright future in the beauty industry!
Visit www.newagespainstitute.com to learn more or call us at 847-759-0900 to speak with our admissions team. Schedule an open house tour today!
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What community areas does The New Age Spa Institute serve?
The New Age Spa Institute is located in Des Plaines, Illinois and generally serves the North and Northwest suburbs. Serving the Chicagoland area, students drive from Barrington, IL – Schaumburg, IL – Arlington Heights, IL- Addison, IL – Rockford, IL – Park Ridge, IL – Niles, IL – Chicago, IL – St. Charles, IL – Plainfield, IL –Downers Grove, IL – Naperville, IL – Mount Prospect, IL – Bartlett, IL – Barrington, IL – Elgin, IL – Lake in the Hills, IL – Elk Grove Village, IL – Palatine, IL – Rolling Meadows, IL – Buffalo Grove, IL – Wheeling, IL – Prospect Heights, IL – Glenview, IL – Northbrook, IL – Deerfield, IL – Libertyville, IL – Vernon Hills, IL – Mundelein, IL – Hoffman Estates, IL – Itasca, IL – Roselle, IL – Lake Zurich, IL – Gurnee, IL – Waukegan, IL – Beach Park, IL – North Chicago, IL – Zion, IL – Lindenhurst, IL – Grayslake, IL – Antioch, IL – Bolingbrook, IL and many more suburbs!
