Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Saddle River NJ

How to Pick a Beauty School near Saddle River New Jersey

nail technicians training at Saddle River NJ beauty school Since you have decided to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Saddle River NJ, the task starts to locate and enroll in the right school. It’s important that the program you select not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you may be rather confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We’ll talk a little bit further 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 Saddle River home. Tuition will also be a critical factor when evaluating prospective schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not automatically the best option. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are offered.

What is Cosmetology

Saddle River NJ makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be almost anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states require that you undergo some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Saddle River NJ beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gotten experience and a client base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own residences or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many names and work in a wide range of specializations including:

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

As formerly mentioned, in the majority of states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those offering more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees

Saddle River NJ hairdresser cutting hair There are primarily two avenues offered to obtain cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually call for 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 each of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you want to specialize in just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also likely include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Saddle River NJ business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of program you choose, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s recognized by the New Jersey Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only approve schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the next segment.

Online Cosmetology Schools

student attending cosmetology school online in Saddle River NJ Online cosmetology programs are convenient for Saddle River NJ students who are working full time and have family obligations that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous online beauty school programs available that can be accessed via a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology schools are frequently fast paced due to the fact that many programs are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a considerable portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you’re not spending many hours away from your home or commuting back and forth from classes. However, it’s imperative that the training program you pick can provide internship training in area salons and parlors in order that you also receive the hands-on training needed for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to acquire the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetologist Schools

Questions to ask Saddle River NJ beauty schools Below is a series of questions that you should research for any cosmetology training school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Saddle River NJ residence, together with the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.

Is the School Accredited? It’s necessary to make sure that the cosmetology college you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in 07458 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Saddle River NJ businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any cosmetologist institute that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. 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, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Saddle River NJ salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And last, contact the New Jersey school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you decide on 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 dream is to open a hair salon in Saddle River NJ, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you need.

Is Any Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty program provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a cosmetology academy, it’s essential that she or he receives aid in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with Saddle River NJ businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering 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 extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Available? The majority of beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak 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 offered to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you find out what financial help may be offered.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Saddle River NJ?

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

Saddle River, New Jersey

Saddle River is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 3,152,[8][9][10] reflecting a decline of 49 (−1.5%) from the 3,201 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 251 (+8.5%) from the 2,950 counted in the 1990 Census.[19]

Saddle River is one of the wealthiest small municipalities in the United States and was ranked 9th in New Jersey in per capita income as of the 2010 Census.[20] Based on 1989 per capita income, Saddle River was ranked the richest suburb in the nation among those with 2,500 or more people.[21]

Despite being fairly close to Manhattan, a bucolic atmosphere pervades in town, due in part to a minimum zoning requirement of 2 acres (0.0081 km2) for homes.[22] The borough contains both newer mansions and stately older homes on vast tracts of land.

Find the Right Cosmetologist College near Saddle River NJ

Saddle River NJ barber blow drying client's hair Finding and enrolling in the right cosmetology school is important to receive the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the responses you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the academy and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Saddle River NJ.