How to Select a Cosmetologist College near Sussex New Jersey
Now that you have made a decision to train as a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Sussex NJ, the task begins to find and enroll in the best school. It’s important that the program you pick not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be somewhat unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll speak a little bit more concerning that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Sussex residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when evaluating possible schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not necessarily the best option. There are many other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of courses are offered.
Defining Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession 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. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but really a cosmetic may be anything that improves 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 environments include not only Sussex NJ beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a clientele, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many professional names and are employed in a wide range of specialties including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As earlier stated, in most states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Certificates and Degrees
There are basically two avenues offered 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 usually require 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree usually takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in each of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you wish to concentrate on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely incorporate management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Sussex NJ business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you opt for, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s certified by the New Jersey Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, for instance the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the next section.
Online Cosmetology Classes
Online beauty programs are accommodating for Sussex NJ students who are employed full-time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based beauty school programs available that can be attended by means of a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are frequently fast paced given that many courses are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same volume of material, but you are not spending many hours away from your home or driving to and from classes. However, it’s important that the school you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors to ensure that you also get the hands-on training required for a comprehensive education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to obtain the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.
Questions to Ask Beauty Degree Programs
Following is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any cosmetology training school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Sussex NJ home, as well as the cost of tuition, will most likely be your primary 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 even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential 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 organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in 07461 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Sussex NJ employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every cosmetologist school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Sussex NJ salon owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And finally, check with the New Jersey school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular 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 specializes in your area of interest. If your objective 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 open a hair salon in Sussex NJ, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and refining cosmetology techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a beauty school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a beauty program, it’s essential that he or she receives support in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with Sussex NJ employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs 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. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Many cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an alternative before you learn what financial aid may be available.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Sussex NJ?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Sussex NJ area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Sussex, New Jersey
Sussex is a borough in Sussex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 2,130,[8][9][10] reflecting a decline of 15 (-0.7%) from the 2,145 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn declined by 56 (-2.5%) from the 2,201 counted in the 1990 Census.[19]
Sussex was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on October 14, 1891, as Deckertown, from portions of Wantage Township.[20] The borough's original name was for settler Peter Decker.[21] The borough was renamed Sussex on March 2, 1902.[20] The county and borough are named for the historic county of Sussex in England.[22][23]
A joint commission of residents of both Sussex and Wantage had recommended that the two communities should be consolidated to form what would be called the Township of Sussex-Wantage, which would operate within the Faulkner Act under the council-manager form of government, with a mayor and a six-member township council, and that voters in both municipalities should approve a referendum to be held on November 3, 2009. The committee noted that the two municipalities share common issues, schools, library and community services and that the artificial nature of the octagonal Sussex border often made it hard to distinguish between the two.[24] The efforts at consolidation with surrounding Wantage Township ended in November 2009 after Wantage voters rejected the merger despite support from Sussex borough residents.[25]
Choose the Right Cosmetology Program near Sussex NJ
Choosing and enrolling in the right cosmetology school is imperative to obtain the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to organize all of the responses you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Sussex NJ.
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