Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Bethel CT

How to Find the Right Cosmetologist School near Bethel Connecticut

nail technicians training at Bethel CT beauty school Since you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Bethel CT, the task starts to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It’s imperative that the program you pick not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be a little bit unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We’ll talk a little bit further regarding that in the following section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Bethel home. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when reviewing prospective schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not always the ideal choice. There are various other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning 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 types of training programs are available.

Defining Cosmetology

Bethel CT makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human anatomy look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, most states require that you take some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Bethel CT beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gotten experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many titles and are employed in a wide variety of specializations including:

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

As already mentioned, in most states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption. Only those performing more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Degrees

Bethel CT hairdresser cutting hair There are primarily two options offered to receive 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 generally take 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 trained in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you want to focus on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also probably feature management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Bethel CT business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you go with, it’s important to make certain that it’s certified by the Connecticut Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the upcoming segment.

Online Beauty Training

student attending cosmetology school online in Bethel CT Online cosmetology programs are convenient for Bethel CT students who are employed full-time and have family obligations that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous online beauty school programs available that can be attended via a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty schools are typically fast paced because many courses are as short as six or eight months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are dealing with 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 important that the training program you choose can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to gain the skills required 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 available in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetologist Training Programs

Questions to ask Bethel CT beauty schools Below is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any beauty training program you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Bethel CT residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make certain that the cosmetology school you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified 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 quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in 06801 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Bethel CT employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each beauty institute that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Bethel CT salon owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the Connecticut school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your goal is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your dream is to open a hair salon in Bethel CT, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you need.

Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a beauty academy offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. So look for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a cosmetology academy, it’s imperative that she or he gets support in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with Bethel CT employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which salons and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available? Many cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and find out 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 as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an option until you find out what financial aid may be available.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Bethel CT?

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

Bethel, Connecticut

Bethel (/ˈbɛθəl/) is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, about 69 miles (111 km) from New York City. Its population was 18,584 at the 2010 census.[1] The town center is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place (CDP). The core area of the town center has also been designated as a historic district

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 16.9 square miles (44 km2), of which 16.8 square miles (44 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2), or 0.53%, is water. The CDP corresponding to the town center has a total area of 4.1 square miles (11 km2), all land. Bethel borders Redding to the south, Danbury to the west, Brookfield to the north, and Newtown to the east.

As of the 2010 census Bethel had a population of 18,584. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 88.8% white, 1.8% black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 4.5% Asian, 2.8% from some other race and 1.9% from two or more races. 7.6% of the population was Hispanic or Latino from any race.[10]

Pick the Right Cosmetologist School near Bethel CT

Bethel CT barber blow drying client's hair Choosing and enrolling in the right cosmetology school is essential to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to organize all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this article, 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 examination, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Bethel CT.