Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools North Haven CT

How to Pick a Cosmetology College near North Haven Connecticut

nail technicians training at North Haven CT beauty school Since you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near North Haven CT, the process starts to search for and enroll in the best school. It’s essential that the school you pick not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you might be somewhat unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll talk a bit more regarding that in the upcoming segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your North Haven residence. Tuition will also be an important consideration when evaluating prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not automatically the right choice. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are available.

What is Cosmetology

North Haven CT makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human anatomy look more beautiful with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic can be anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states mandate that you go through some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only North Haven CT beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a clientele, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles and work in a wide range of specialties including:

Hairdressers
Hairstylists
Beauticians
Barbers
Manicurists
Nail Technicians
Makeup Artists
Hair Coloring Specialists
Estheticians
Electrolysis Technicians

As already stated, in most states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption. Only those conducting more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Degrees

North Haven CT hairdresser cutting hair There are essentially two options available to receive cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs generally require 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree usually takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you want to focus on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely incorporate management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other North Haven CT business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you go with, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s approved by the Connecticut Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only certify schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the next section.

Online Beauty Schools

student attending cosmetology school online in North Haven CT Online cosmetology classes are advantageous for North Haven CT students who are working full-time and have family commitments that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many web-based beauty school programs offered that can be attended via a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are typically fast paced due to the fact that many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a considerable portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same volume of material, but you are not devoting many hours outside of your home or driving to and from classes. However, it’s important that the program you choose can provide internship training in local salons and parlors in order that you also get the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetology Programs

Questions to ask North Haven CT beauty schools Following is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any cosmetology training program you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your North Haven CT residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have collected some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make certain that the cosmetology training program you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in 06473 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many North Haven CT employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every cosmetology institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with North Haven CT salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with the Connecticut school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you enroll in a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your objective is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a hair salon in North Haven CT, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you require.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering cosmetology skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty program offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So try to find other schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a cosmetology school, it’s important that he or she receives aid in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with North Haven CT employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Most beauty schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you determine what financial aid may be available.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near North Haven CT?

If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater North Haven CT area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.

North Haven, Connecticut

North Haven is home of the Quinnipiac University School of Health Sciences, the School of Nursing, School of Law, School of Education, and School of Medicine on Bassett Road.[2] North Haven has easy access to Interstate 91 and the Wilbur Cross Parkway (Route 15). It is near Sleeping Giant State Park and less than 10 miles (16 km) from downtown New Haven and Yale University.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 21.1 square miles (54.6 km²), of which 20.8 square miles (53.8 km²) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.8 km²), or 1.52%, is water. North Haven is located less than 10 miles (16 km) from Long Island Sound.

North Haven is 27 miles (43 km) south of Hartford, 76 miles (122 km) northeast of New York City, 80 miles (130 km) west of Providence and 115 miles (185 km) southwest of Boston. The center of town is an area stretching along U.S. Route 5, from approximately its interchange with I-91 in the north to Bailey Road in the south.

Select the Right Cosmetology Vocational School near North Haven CT

North Haven CT barber blow drying client's hair Selecting and enrolling in the right cosmetology school is important to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Don’t forget to consolidate all of the responses you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the academy and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in North Haven CT.