Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Bergenfield NJ

How to Choose a Cosmetologist School near Bergenfield New Jersey

nail technicians training at Bergenfield NJ beauty school Since you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Bergenfield NJ, the process begins to find and enroll in the ideal school. It’s important that the school you select not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you may be somewhat unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a little bit more concerning that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Bergenfield home. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when reviewing prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not automatically the ideal choice. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are offered.

What is Cosmetology

Bergenfield NJ makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human anatomy look more beautiful through the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you go through some kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Bergenfield NJ beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing customers either in their own residences or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many names and are employed in a wide range of specializations including:

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

As already stated, in most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In certain states there is an exception. Only those offering more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Certificates and Degrees

Bergenfield NJ hairdresser cutting hair There are basically two avenues available to get 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 normally call for 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate’s degree usually takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in each of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you prefer to focus on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely incorporate management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Bergenfield NJ business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you opt for, it’s essential to make certain that it’s certified by the New Jersey Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you select in the upcoming section.

Online Cosmetology Programs

student attending cosmetology school online in Bergenfield NJ Online cosmetology classes are accommodating for Bergenfield NJ students who are working full time and have family responsibilities that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are many web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed through a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are often fast paced due to the fact that many programs are as short as six or eight months. This means that a substantial portion of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or travelling back and forth from classes. However, it’s vital that the training program you select can provide internship training in area salons and parlors to ensure that you also obtain the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to obtain the skills necessary to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Beauty Degree Programs

Questions to ask Bergenfield NJ beauty schools Following is a list of questions that you will want to research for any beauty training program you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Bergenfield NJ residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the cosmetology school you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in 07621 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Bergenfield NJ employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every cosmetologist school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Bergenfield NJ salon owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, 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. And last, check with the New Jersey school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your intention 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 vision is to open a hair salon in Bergenfield NJ, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you require.

Is Any Live Training Provided? Studying and refining cosmetology skills and techniques demands lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology classes you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty school provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So look for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a beauty school, it’s imperative that she or he receives assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with Bergenfield NJ employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Most cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an option until you find out what financial help may be available.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Bergenfield NJ?

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

Bergenfield, New Jersey

Bergenfield is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 26,764,[9][10][11] reflecting an increase of 517 (+2.0%) from the 26,247 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 1,789 (+7.3%) from the 24,458 counted in the 1990 Census.[20]

Bergenfield was formed on the basis of a referendum held on June 25, 1894, from portions of Englewood Township and Palisades Township.[21][22][23] The borough was formed during the "Boroughitis" phenomenon then sweeping through Bergen County, in which 26 boroughs were formed in the county in 1894 alone.[24] The borough was named for its location in Bergen County.[25]

New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Bergenfield as its 211th best place to live in its 2010 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey.[26] The magazine ranked Bergenfield as its 231st best place to live in its 2008 rankings of the "Best Places To Live".[27]

Find the Right Beauty School near Bergenfield NJ

Bergenfield NJ barber blow drying client's hair Finding and enrolling in the ideal cosmetologist program is imperative to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Don’t forget to organize all of the responses you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding 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 choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Bergenfield NJ.