Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Oakhurst NJ

How to Select a Beauty College near Oakhurst New Jersey

nail technicians training at Oakhurst NJ beauty school Once you have decided to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Oakhurst NJ, the task begins to find and enroll in the right school. It’s imperative that the school you select not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be a little bit puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We’ll speak a bit further regarding that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Oakhurst residence. Tuition will additionally be an important aspect when assessing prospective schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not necessarily the ideal choice. There are many other factors that you should weigh 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 in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of training programs are offered.

What is Cosmetology

Oakhurst 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 of course it makes sense that numerous 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 anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, most states mandate that you undergo some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Oakhurst NJ beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have acquired experience and a customer base, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own residences or will travel to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have 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 already mentioned, in the majority of states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exemption. Only those offering 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 Certificates and Degrees

Oakhurst NJ hairdresser cutting hair There are basically two avenues available to get 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 normally require 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree commonly takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in each of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you want to specialize in just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely incorporate management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Oakhurst NJ business. More advanced degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you go with, it’s important to make certain that it’s certified by the New Jersey Board of Cosmetology. Numerous states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the next section.

Online Cosmetologist Schools

student attending cosmetology school online in Oakhurst NJ Online beauty classes are accommodating for Oakhurst NJ students who are employed full time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are many online cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended by means of a desktop computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty schools are frequently fast paced because many programs are as short as six or eight months. This means that a significant portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not devoting many hours away from your home or driving back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s imperative that the training program you pick can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is provided in your area.

Questions to Ask Beauty Training Programs

Questions to ask Oakhurst NJ beauty schools Below is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any cosmetologist training program you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Oakhurst NJ home, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want 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 preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the cosmetology school you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, 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 may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in 07755 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Oakhurst NJ businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each cosmetology 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 references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Oakhurst NJ salon owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And last, consult the New Jersey school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you decide on 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 aspiration is to start a hair salon in Oakhurst NJ, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you need.

Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and mastering cosmetology skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty classes you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a beauty school provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. So look for alternate schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a beauty school, it’s imperative that he or she gets support in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help develope relationships with Oakhurst NJ employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools 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 extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Many cosmetology schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an alternative before you determine what financial help may be available.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Oakhurst NJ?

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

Oakhurst, New Jersey

Oakhurst is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) within Ocean Township, in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States.[7][8] As of the 2010 United States Census, the CDP's population was 3,995.[3]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP had a total area of 1.614 square miles (4.178 km2), including 1.611 square miles (4.171 km2) of land and 0.003 square miles (0.006 km2) of water (0.16%).[1][9]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 3,995 people, 1,372 households, and 1,125 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,480.5 per square mile (957.7/km2). There were 1,473 housing units at an average density of 914.6 per square mile (353.1/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 94.64% (3,781) White, 1.35% (54) Black or African American, 0.05% (2) Native American, 2.53% (101) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.45% (18) from other races, and 0.98% (39) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.85% (154) of the population.[3]

Pick the Right Cosmetology Training Program near Oakhurst NJ

Oakhurst NJ barber blow drying client's hair Choosing and enrolling in the right cosmetologist college is essential to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, 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 exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to begin your career as a professional cosmetologist in Oakhurst NJ.