Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Neptune NJ

How to Choose a Cosmetologist College near Neptune New Jersey

nail technicians training at Neptune NJ beauty school Now that you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Neptune NJ, the process starts to search for and enroll in the right school. It’s essential that the school you pick not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat confused about the distinction 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 speak a bit further about that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Neptune residence. Tuition will also be an important aspect when reviewing possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not automatically the best option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding 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 programs are offered.

What is Cosmetology

Neptune NJ 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 numerous cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be almost anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you take some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Neptune NJ beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a clientele, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients either in their own residences or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many names and are employed in a wide range of specializations including:

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

As already stated, in the majority of states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption. Only those offering more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Degrees and Certificates

Neptune NJ hairdresser cutting hair There are primarily two options offered to get cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs generally call for 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 all of the major areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you wish to specialize in just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also probably incorporate management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Neptune NJ business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you decide on, it’s important to make sure that it’s certified by the New Jersey Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the next section.

Online Cosmetology Courses

student attending cosmetology school online in Neptune NJ Online cosmetology programs are accommodating for Neptune NJ students who are employed full-time and have family obligations that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are numerous online cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended via a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs 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 internet courses, you are covering the same volume of material, but you’re not devoting many hours outside of your home or travelling to and from classes. However, it’s essential that the school 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 obtain the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology profession. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetology Programs

Questions to ask Neptune NJ beauty schools Following is a list of questions that you need to research for any beauty training school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Neptune NJ home, together with the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have put together some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential 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 measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in 07753 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Neptune NJ employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each cosmetology school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Neptune NJ salon owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And finally, consult the New Jersey school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your goal 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 open a hair salon in Neptune NJ, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you require.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering cosmetology skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty program offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for acquiring your skills. So search for other schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a cosmetology program, it’s essential that he or she gets assistance in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help develope relationships with Neptune NJ businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which salons and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Almost all beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an option until you learn what financial help may be provided.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Neptune NJ?

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

Neptune Township, New Jersey

Neptune Township is a township in Monmouth County, New Jersey, in the United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 27,935,[9][10][11] reflecting an increase of 245 (+0.9%) from the 27,690 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn declined by 458 (-1.6%) from the 28,148 counted in the 1990 Census.[20]

Neptune was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 26, 1879, from portions of Ocean Township. Portions of the township were taken to form Neptune City (October 4, 1881), Bradley Beach (March 13, 1893) and Ocean Grove (April 5, 1920, until it was found unconstitutional and restored to Neptune Township as of June 16, 1921).[21] The township was named for Neptune, the Roman water deity, and its location on the Atlantic Ocean.[22]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 8.672 square miles (22.461 km2), including 8.182 square miles (21.191 km2) of land and 0.490 square miles (1.270 km2) of water (5.66%).[1][2]

Enroll in the Right Cosmetologist College near Neptune NJ

Neptune NJ barber blow drying client's hair Finding and enrolling in the right cosmetology program is essential 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 positive about your decision. Be 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 employ that information to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Neptune NJ.