Colleges For Cosmetology Princeton NJ

How to Pick the Right Cosmetologist School near Princeton New Jersey

Princeton NJ wedding makeup artist with client Since you have decided to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Princeton NJ, the process begins to search for and enroll in the best school. It’s important that the program you select not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be a little bit unclear about the distinction 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 talk a little bit more about that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Princeton home. Tuition will also be an important consideration when reviewing potential schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not automatically the ideal option. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are available.

Definition of Cosmetology

Princeton NJ hair stylist cutting hair Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So naturally 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 may be 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 go through some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Princeton NJ beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a clientele, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client’s residence, 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 mentioned, in most states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those conducting more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees and Certificates

nail techs training at Princeton NJ beauty school There are primarily two options offered to obtain cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually 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 instructed in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you prefer to concentrate on just one area, such as hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely feature management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to run a salon or other Princeton NJ business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whatever type of program you decide on, it’s essential to make certain that it’s recognized by the New Jersey Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain respected organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the next segment.

Online Cosmetology Programs

student attending online beauty school in Princeton NJ Online cosmetology classes are convenient for Princeton NJ students who are employed full-time and have family responsibilities that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are many online beauty school programs available that can be attended via a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are frequently fast paced because many programs are as short as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not spending numerous hours outside of your home or driving to and from classes. However, it’s essential that the training program you pick can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors in order that you also get the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to gain the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology industry. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetologist Trade Schools

Questions to ask Princeton NJ cosmetology schools Below is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any cosmetology training program you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Princeton NJ residence, in addition to 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 should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s important to make sure that the cosmetology school you choose 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 meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in 08540 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Princeton 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 Great Reputation? Any cosmetologist college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Princeton NJ salon owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. 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 Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering 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 important that you enroll in 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 respected for that program. If your vision is to launch a hair salon in Princeton NJ, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.

Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Learning and refining cosmetology skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a beauty academy furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. So try to find alternate schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a beauty program, it’s essential that she or he gets support in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid develope relationships with Princeton NJ businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak with 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 accessible to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an alternative until you find out what financial aid may be offered.

Considering Cosmetology Schools in Princeton NJ?

If you are considering attending Beauty School in Princeton NJ or in a nearby area, following is some interesting and useful information regarding the location of your new school campus.

Princeton, New Jersey

Princeton is a municipality with a borough form of government in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States, that was established in its current form on January 1, 2013, through the consolidation of the Borough of Princeton and Princeton Township. As of the 2010 United States Census, the municipality's population was 28,572, reflecting the former township's population of 16,265, along with the 12,307 in the former borough.[7][8][9][10][11]

Princeton was founded before the American Revolution. It is the home of Princeton University, which bears its name and moved to the community in 1756 from its previous location in Newark. Although its association with the university is primarily what makes Princeton a college town, other important institutions in the area include the Institute for Advanced Study, Westminster Choir College, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton Theological Seminary, Opinion Research Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Siemens Corporate Research, SRI International, FMC Corporation, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Amrep, Church and Dwight, Berlitz International, and Dow Jones & Company.

Princeton is roughly equidistant from New York City and Philadelphia. It is close to many major highways that serve both cities (e.g. Interstate 95 and US Route 1), and receives major television and radio broadcasts from each. It is also close to Trenton, New Jersey's capital city, and Edison.

Princeton NJ barber trimming hair Selecting and enrolling in the ideal cosmetology program is important to obtain the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. You originally came to this website because you have an interest in learning more about Colleges For Cosmetology. So be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Don’t forget to consolidate all of the responses you get from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented 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 confident that you are prepared to start your career as a professional cosmetologist in Princeton NJ.