Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Raritan NJ

How to Enroll In a Cosmetology School near Raritan New Jersey

nail technicians training at Raritan NJ beauty school Now that you have decided to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Raritan NJ, the process begins to find and enroll in the right school. It’s essential that the program you pick not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may be somewhat puzzled about the difference 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 further about that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Raritan residence. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when reviewing possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not automatically the best option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are available.

Defining Cosmetology

Raritan NJ makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful through the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but really a cosmetic can be almost anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states require that you undergo some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Raritan NJ beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a client base, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many titles and work in a wide variety of specializations including:

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

As previously mentioned, in most states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Degrees and Certificates

Raritan NJ hairdresser cutting hair There are basically two pathways offered to obtain cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs generally take 12 to 18 months to finish, 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. Shorter programs are offered if you want to concentrate on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also probably feature management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Raritan NJ business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you decide on, it’s important to make sure that it’s recognized by the New Jersey Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the following section.

Online Cosmetologist Classes

student attending cosmetology school online in Raritan NJ Online beauty programs are advantageous for Raritan NJ students who are employed full-time and have family obligations that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based beauty school programs offered that can be attended through a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are often 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 internet programs, you are covering the same volume of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours outside of your home or travelling to and from classes. However, it’s essential that the school you select can provide internship training in local salons and parlors to ensure that you also receive the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Beauty Degree Programs

Questions to ask Raritan NJ beauty schools Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any cosmetology training school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Raritan NJ home, as well as the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn 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 preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the School Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the cosmetology training program you choose 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 superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in 08869 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Raritan NJ businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those 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 field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Raritan NJ salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And finally, check with the New Jersey school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you choose 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 vision is to start a hair salon in Raritan NJ, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. So try to find alternate schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a cosmetology school, it’s imperative that she or he receives help in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with Raritan NJ employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which salons and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Consult with 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 satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you find out what financial help may be provided.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Raritan NJ?

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

Raritan, New Jersey

Raritan is a borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 6,881,[9][10][11] reflecting an increase of 543 (+8.6%) from the 6,338 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 540 (+9.3%) from the 5,798 counted in the 1990 Census.[20]

The township's name is derived from the Raritans, a Native American group of Lenapes.[21] The name of the tribe is said to mean "forked river",[22] "stream overflows" or "point on a tidal river".[23][24]

Raritan town was originally established as a subdivision within Bridgewater Township by act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 3, 1868. After a series of bitter lawsuits between Raritan and Bridgewater in the 1930s and 1940s, the Legislature allowed Raritan to become a fully independent Borough by an Act on May 12, 1948, based on the results of a referendum passed on June 12, 1948. The new borough incorporated the old town and an additional portion of Bridgewater Township.[25]

Enroll in the Right Cosmetology Program near Raritan NJ

Raritan NJ barber blow drying client's hair Locating and enrolling in the right cosmetology college is imperative to receive the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize 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 sure that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Raritan NJ.