Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Paterson NJ

How to Choose a Cosmetology School near Paterson New Jersey

nail technicians training at Paterson NJ beauty school Now that you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Paterson NJ, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It’s imperative that the program you select not only furnishes the appropriate education for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may be somewhat puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll talk a bit further about that in the upcoming segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Paterson residence. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when evaluating potential schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it’s not automatically the right choice. There are many 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 looking at later within this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of training programs are offered.

Defining Cosmetology

Paterson NJ makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more beautiful with the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you take some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Paterson NJ beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s residence, 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 stated, in the majority of states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those performing more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees

Paterson NJ hairdresser cutting hair There are primarily two options offered to receive 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 take 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate’s degree commonly takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you want to specialize in just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Paterson NJ business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you choose, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s approved by the New Jersey Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only approve schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the benefits of accreditation for the school you decide on in the next segment.

Online Beauty Courses

student attending cosmetology school online in Paterson NJ Online beauty programs are advantageous for Paterson NJ students who are working full time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous online beauty school programs available that can be accessed by means of a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are typically fast paced given that many courses are as short as six or eight months. This means that a considerable amount of time is spent in the classroom. With internet programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you’re not devoting many hours outside of your home or commuting back and forth from classes. However, it’s essential that the training program you select can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to acquire the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is available in your area.

What to Ask Beauty Training Courses

Questions to ask Paterson NJ beauty schools Below is a series of questions that you need to look into for any cosmetology training school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Paterson NJ residence, together with the cost of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you want 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 must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have put together several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Program 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 certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in 07501 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Paterson NJ employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each beauty institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Paterson NJ salon owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, check with the New Jersey school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you enroll in a school that specializes in 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 respected for that program. If your dream is to open a hair salon in Paterson NJ, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and mastering cosmetology skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty program offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So try to find alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s important that he or she gets help in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help develope relationships with Paterson NJ employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which salons and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High 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 cosmetology schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an option until you determine what financial assistance may be available.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Paterson NJ?

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

Paterson, New Jersey

Paterson is the largest city in and the county seat of Passaic County, New Jersey, United States.[20] As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 146,199,[9][10][11] rendering it New Jersey's third-most-populous city.[21] Paterson has the second-highest density of any U.S. city with over 100,000 people, behind only New York City.[22] For 2017, the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program calculated a population of 148,678, an increase of 1.7% from the 2010 enumeration,[12] ranking the city as the 174th-most-populous in the nation.[13]

Paterson is known as the "Silk City" for its dominant role in silk production during the latter half of the 19th century.[1] The city has since evolved into a major destination for Hispanic immigrants as well as for immigrants from India, South Asia, the Arab and Muslim world. Paterson has the second-largest Muslim population in the United States by percentage.[23]

The area of Paterson was inhabited by the Algonquian-speaking Native American Acquackanonk tribe of the Lenape, referred to as the Delaware Indians. The land was known as the Lenapehoking. The Dutch claimed the land as New Netherlands, then the British as the Province of New Jersey.[24]

Find the Right Beauty School near Paterson NJ

Paterson NJ barber blow drying client's hair Finding and enrolling in the right cosmetologist college is imperative to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the responses you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Paterson NJ.