Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Montclair NJ

How to Select a Beauty School near Montclair New Jersey

nail technicians training at Montclair NJ beauty school Now that you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Montclair NJ, the task starts to find and enroll in the ideal school. It’s imperative that the school you select not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be rather confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a little bit more regarding that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Montclair residence. Tuition will also be an important aspect when evaluating prospective schools. Just keep 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 analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are available.

What is Cosmetology

Montclair NJ makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human anatomy look more beautiful with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be almost anything that improves the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states require that you undergo some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Montclair NJ beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have acquired experience and a clientele, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by 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 previously stated, in the majority of states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Certificates and Degrees

Montclair NJ hairdresser cutting hair There are basically two avenues available to receive 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 call for 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 each of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you wish to specialize in just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Montclair NJ business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you choose, it’s essential 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, for example the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the upcoming section.

Online Cosmetology Courses

student attending cosmetology school online in Montclair NJ Online beauty programs are convenient for Montclair NJ students who are working full time and have family responsibilities that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many web-based cosmetology school programs available that can be accessed by means of a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are often fast paced since many courses are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you’re not spending numerous hours outside of your home or travelling to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s essential that the training program you select can provide internship training in nearby 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 impossible to gain the skills required to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Cosmetologist Degree Programs

Questions to ask Montclair NJ beauty schools Following is a list of questions that you should research for any beauty training school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Montclair NJ residence, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably 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 consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the cosmetology training program you select 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 comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in 07042 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Montclair NJ businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each cosmetology school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Montclair NJ salon owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. Finally, consult 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 Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering 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 important that you enroll in a school that focuses on your area of interest. If your ambition is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a hair salon in Montclair NJ, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you require.

Is Enough Live Training Provided? Practicing and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty academy furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So search for other schools that provide 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 receives aid in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with Montclair NJ businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which salons and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Almost all cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an option until you find out what financial help may be available.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Montclair NJ?

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

Montclair, New Jersey

Montclair (/mɒn(t)ˈklɛər/) is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 37,669,[9][10][11] reflecting a decline of 1,308 (−3.4%) from the 38,977 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 1,248 (+3.3%) from the 37,729 counted in the 1990 Census.[20] As of 2010[update], it was the 60th-most-populous municipality in New Jersey.[21]

Montclair was first formed as a township on April 15, 1868, from portions of Bloomfield Township,[22] so that a second railroad could be built to Montclair. After a referendum held on February 21, 1894, Montclair was reincorporated as a town, effective February 24, 1894.[23] It derives its name from the French mont clair, meaning "clear mountain" or "bright mountain."[24][25]

In 1980, after multiple protests filed by Montclair officials regarding the inequities built into the federal revenue sharing system,[26] Montclair passed a referendum changing its name to the "Township of Montclair," becoming the third of more than a dozen Essex County municipalities to reclassify themselves as townships to take advantage of federal revenue sharing policies that allocated townships a greater share of government aid to municipalities on a per capita basis.[27][28][29]

Choose the Right Cosmetology Program near Montclair NJ

Montclair NJ barber blow drying client's hair Locating and enrolling in the right cosmetologist college is imperative to receive the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the information 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 school and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your career as a professional cosmetologist in Montclair NJ.