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I WAS enrolled in the evening Basic Skin Care program. After speaking with the school Director Dale and I expressed some issues concerning the curriculum, he had agreed with my concerns about learning chemical peels, usage of the newer classroom, usage of the new line of cosmetics (Glo Minerals), hot stone therapy, and having demonstrations and interactions with the equipment such as the lamprobe, microdermabrasion, and the new laser light therapy machine. As of the date of this letter, the only change we spoke about that has taken place is the evening class having the opportunity to use the new classroom and cosmetics. I have since done some research, including a review of the school catalog that I received upon enrollment, and have come to some troubling conclusions.
When I toured the school and spoke with the admissions representative, I had a list of my expectations and specific skin care procedures that I wanted to learn while attending this school. I was informed that I would obtain a basic knowledge of the all aspects skin care field. without enrolling in the paramedical program. In addition, I was informed that some of the things that were not included were going to be incorporated into the Basic skin care program. Although I was not given any specific date as to when this would occur, it was implied that it would be sometime after the new year of 2006. After doing extensive research on similar schools in the Central Florida area, and speaking with your admissions representative, I decided to enroll in The Florida College of Natural Health under the impression that I was going to receive an ABOVE AVERAGE education in the Skin Care Field.
In my opinion, I have been misled and I am not receiving even an average education. I believe that your marketing tools misrepresent the Basic skin care program with the intent of obtaining a signed enrollment agreement that I am legally bound to while not getting the education I was promised. In my 3rd month of Basic Skin Care I was certain that I was not receiving the level of education that would give me an advantage in this field. It seems to me that I have learned only the steps of a basic facial, some ancient electricity and mask therapy. I have basically dealt with different skin types and utilized different skin care products but clearly it is not acceptable or to my advantage to spend 300 hours learning the same basic facial over and over again.
I feel I have been given the erroneous impression that I would receive an education that would prepare me for a career in the skin care field. In reality, I feel as if I purchased a program that is full of deceptions. In order for me to be successful in obtaining employment, I will have to either pay more money for additional continuing education classes, or enroll in a degree program to obtain the necessary tools needed to make me valuable to any employer.
In the catalog used for marketing, the school claims to teach electricity, which would give any potential student the idea that they would be using up to date technology such as Microdermabrasion, Laser Hair Removal, Lamprobe, Electrolysis, and it clearly reads Light Therapy. Light Therapy is never taught in the basic skin care program, nor is any of the above listed services. Instead, we are using an ancient machine that is not used by any employer in today's world.
I was also given used books and poor quality academic materials in a kit that I paid full price for. The assignment materials all have grammatical errors and have been marked on and then copied and recycled. I did not pay for this type of education. I paid for a high-end school and expected high-end equipment, products, and academic materials. The power to all of the equipment in the classroom goes out at least 1-15 times every evening because the power supply cannot accommodate the amount of students being added. We have one only one peel in our classroom not peel(s) plural. This particular peel is not a pharmaceutical grade chemical peel. We do not have access to anything else that you have in the school because it is labeled paramedical. The products that we were give were constantly empty. The back bars are never set up with one of every product.
After enrolling and attending the Basic Skin Care program, the students are informed that the services listed above are taught in the Paramedical course. The Paramedical Skin Care Program is an A.S. degree program and is currently $22,000.00. I find this to be extremely disturbing when the Paramedical student will be receiving the same license as a Basic skin care student. I think these are valid examples of selling tactics used to lure myself and other students into enrolling in the Paramedical Skin Care Program.
When a school is being accredited and being funded loan amounts, the catalog is reviewed to ensure the proper standards are being met. I feel that it is very important that it is brought to the attention of all parties involved that the catalog description of this basic skin care course would lawfully fall under misrepresentation or trickery using words like electricity light therapy exfoliating peels body wraps cellulite treatments when in fact none of these are or will be taught in the basic skin care course.
The following is stated in the Florida College of Natural Health located in Maitland Florida catalog Volume IX:
CSP 1410: Basic Skin Care (Practical Training) states the following:
This area of the curriculum includes practical training and performance and performance of salon services* including: European Facials, aromatherapy, seaweed therapy, body wraps, exfoliating peels, cellulite treatments, stress recovery, waxing, and massage of the head, neck and face. Students will train using Elemis products, a professional European skin care line. Professional facial chairs, steamers, vaporizers, high frequency and galvanic machines, depilatory wax baths, paraffin baths, thermaphores, bolsters, massage tables and disinfectant/sterilizing equipment are used in this portion of the program and supplied by FCNH. Our hands-on approach to natural skin care takes place in a fully equipped salon/spa type setting.
CSP 1420: Electricity
In this course, students will learn how to use various machines intelligently and safely. Students will study electricity in order to learn about the purpose of each machine, and will explore the use of lamps and light therapy.
How is it acceptable to offer a program that does not give a basic knowledge of skin care? How is it appropriate to mislead potential students with a catalog full of half-truths and have admissions representatives that are taught to sell the program rather than the actual curriculum? Is it ethical to have an admissions representative take a potential Basic Skin Care student on a tour of the school pointing out the new equipment and pharmaceutical grade skin care products when they will not be using these?
To meet today's industry standards and to be a valuable employee to any company you need a basic knowledge of the following skin care services offered by any salon, spa, physician, etc. A basic knowledge of skin care would consist of a specific number of hours in each of the following:
1) Basic Facial
2) Chemical Peels
3) Specialty Facials
4) Masks
5) Body Wraps
6) Cellulite Treatments
7) Waxing
8) Microdermabrasion
9) Light Therapy
10) Laser Hair Removal
11) Make-up Artistry
It is obvious that The Florida College of Natural Health enrolls students into its Basic Skin Care program with the intention of giving a level of education that leaves the student feel inadequate or inferior in this field, fueling a need to later enroll in the Paramedical Skin Care Program that is $22,000.00.
I have been lured into enrolling in this Basic Skin Care course only to now be in debt with a below average education. I am very upset with the way The Florida College of Natural Health has conducted its business and feel that this school lacks professionalism, organization and honesty.
In comparison to other schools claiming to provide a basic education, this school fails to do so. For instance, a cosmetology school gives you a basic knowledge of hair skin and nails such as hair shampooing, cutting, coloring, perms, relaxers, nails, pedicures, skin care, waxing, implements used and up to date equipment used to do the following. This is an example of a basic knowledge of something; it touches base on all of the subjects that will be expected of the potential career-seeking cosmetologist. That cosmetologist can then further their education on something advanced such as hair extentions, or master colorist. The point being that I have not even been introduced to all of the basic subjects of skin care and I am being told that the only way to obtain this level of expertise would be to advance my so-called basic skin care knowledge by enrolling in the paramedical program.
This course has not met its written requirements, nor does it meet industry standards. I feel that whether I benefit from this letter or not, it should be brought to the attention of all parties involved with The Florida College of Natural Health. I strongly urge that you conduct a full investigation of their practices and activities.
This letter has been forwarded to Steiner Education Board, Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology, Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Licensing and Financial Aid Services.
The Florida College of Natural Health can argue that I am just one of many students that may have been unsatisfied with their level of education and professionalism. I can defend that with a signature to every fact stated in this letter by each student in my class. The school can argue that they have an 80% job placement rate which if investigated would prove to be inaccurate. They can argue that they provide a basic knowledge of the skills necessary to become a registered facial specialist in the state of Florida. I have disputed that argument in my preceding statements and I am prepared to back my position in a court of law. These allegations are not made lightly and should be taken seriously and investigated properly.
This was a total of my time and money. And it was never corrected. This experience has been a huge disappointment and I will contest the loan amounts dispersed to The Florida College of Natural Health on my behalf due to misrepresentation and trickery practiced by the school.
Jayme
Orlando, Florida
U.S.A.
