College Barber Westfield NJ

How to Choose the Right Cosmetologist School near Westfield New Jersey

Westfield NJ wedding makeup artist with client Once you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Westfield NJ, the process begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It’s imperative that the school you choose not only furnishes the appropriate education 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 basically interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a bit further regarding that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Westfield residence. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when reviewing prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not always the right option. There are various other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of training programs are available.

What is Cosmetology

Westfield NJ hair stylist cutting hair Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more beautiful with 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 really a cosmetic can be anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states require that you go through some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Westfield 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 servicing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many names and work in a wide range of specialties including:

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

As already stated, in most states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those offering more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees

nail techs training at Westfield NJ beauty school There are primarily two pathways available to get 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 usually takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in all 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 likely incorporate management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Westfield 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. Whichever type of training program you go with, it’s important to make sure that it’s certified by the New Jersey Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain highly regarded agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the benefits of accreditation for the school you select in the next segment.

Online Cosmetologist Programs

student attending online beauty school in Westfield NJ Online beauty schools are convenient for Westfield NJ students who are working full time and have family responsibilities that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are numerous web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be attended through a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are typically fast paced given that many programs are as short as six or eight months. This means that a large amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are covering the same amount of material, but you are not spending numerous hours away from your home or commuting back and forth from classes. However, it’s important that the training program you choose can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also receive the hands-on training necessary for a comprehensive education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills necessary to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

What to Ask Cosmetologist Trade Schools

Questions to ask Westfield NJ cosmetology schools Below is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any cosmetology training school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Westfield NJ home, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following 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 necessary to make certain that the cosmetology college 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in 07090 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Westfield NJ employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every cosmetology school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Westfield NJ salon owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And last, contact the New Jersey school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your goal is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to launch a hair salon in Westfield NJ, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you need.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques requires lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a beauty academy offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. So look for alternate schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a beauty program, it’s imperative that he or she gets assistance in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develope relationships with Westfield NJ businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which salons and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Many cosmetology schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you determine what financial aid may be available.

Considering Cosmetology Schools in Westfield NJ?

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

Westfield, New Jersey

Westfield is a town in Union County of New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town's population was 30,316,[9][10][11] reflecting an increase of 672 (+2.3%) from the 29,644 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 774 (+2.7%) from the 28,870 counted in the 1990 Census.[20] In March 2018, Bloomberg ranked Westfield as the 99th wealthiest place in the United States, and the 18th wealthiest in New Jersey.[21] According to a 2014 nationwide survey, Westfield is considered to be the 30th-safest city to live in the United States.[22]

The old village area, now the downtown district, was settled in 1720 as part of the Elizabethtown Tract. Westfield was originally formed as a township on January 27, 1794, from portions of Elizabeth Township, while the area was still part of Essex County, and was incorporated on February 21, 1798, as one of New Jersey's initial group of 104 townships by an act of the New Jersey Legislature. It became part of the newly formed Union County on March 19, 1857. Portions of the township have been taken to form Rahway Township (February 27, 1804), Plainfield Township (April 5, 1847), Cranford Township (March 14, 1871), Fanwood Township (March 6, 1878; now known as Scotch Plains) and Mountainside (September 25, 1895). The Town of Westfield was incorporated on March 4, 1903, replacing Westfield Township.[23][24] The name of the town is derived from its location in the western, undeveloped fields of the Elizabethtown tract.[25][26]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town had a total area of 6.743 square miles (17.463 km2), including 6.719 square miles (17.401 km2) of land and 0.024 square miles (0.062 km2) of water (0.36%).[1][2]

Westfield NJ barber trimming hair Selecting and enrolling in the right cosmetologist school is important to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. You originally came to this website because you have an interest in learning more about College Barber. So make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the responses you receive from the beauty school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the academy and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional cosmetologist in Westfield NJ.