How to Choose a Beauty College near Blairstown New Jersey
Since you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Blairstown NJ, the process starts to locate and enroll in the best school. It’s important that the program you select not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be somewhat unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a little bit more regarding that in the upcoming segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Blairstown residence. Tuition will additionally be an important aspect when reviewing possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not always the right choice. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of training programs are offered.
What is Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human anatomy look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are described 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 appearance 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 type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Blairstown NJ beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gotten experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many professional names and are employed in a wide range of specialties including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As formerly mentioned, in most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption. Only those offering more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.
Cosmetology Degrees and Certificates
There are basically two options offered to obtain cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually require 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree ordinarily takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you want to specialize in just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also likely include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Blairstown NJ business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you choose, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s approved by the New Jersey Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded organizations, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the upcoming segment.
Online Cosmetologist Classes
Online beauty programs are convenient for Blairstown NJ students who are employed full time and have family obligations that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous online beauty school programs available that can be accessed through a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty schools are frequently fast paced given that many programs are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a considerable amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you’re not devoting many hours outside of your home or driving to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s important that the program you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors to ensure that you also get the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to gain the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
What to Ask Cosmetology Trade Schools
Below is a series of questions that you need to look into for any cosmetology training program you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Blairstown NJ residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the School Accredited? It’s necessary to make sure that the cosmetology training program you pick 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 assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in 07825 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Blairstown NJ employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every cosmetology school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Blairstown NJ salon owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, consult the New Jersey school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your objective is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to open a hair salon in Blairstown NJ, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Practicing and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a beauty school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s important that she or he gets assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help develope relationships with Blairstown NJ businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Most cosmetology schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 offered to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an option until you find out what financial assistance may be provided.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Blairstown NJ?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Blairstown NJ area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Blairstown, New Jersey
Blairstown is a township in Warren County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 5,967[8][9][10] reflecting an increase of 220 (+3.8%) from the 5,747 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 416 (+7.8%) from the 5,331 counted in the 1990 Census.[19]
The area had been known as Smith's Mill and was later called Butts Bridge (variously spelled as "Butt's Bridge" and "Butts' Bridge"), named for a family that owned the eponymous crossing of the Paulins Kill.[20]
Blairstown was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 14, 1845, from portions of Knowlton Township, based on the results of a referendum held that day.[21] The township was named for John Insley Blair.[22][23]
Pick the Right Beauty Program near Blairstown NJ
Picking and enrolling in the right cosmetology school is imperative to get the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, 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 ready to start your career as a professional cosmetologist in Blairstown NJ.
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