How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Hopewell NJ

How to Select an Esthetician School near Hopewell New Jersey

Hopewell NJ esthetician client with cucumber facial Since you have decided to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Hopewell NJ, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right program. It’s important that the school you pick not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be rather puzzled about the contrast 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 concerning that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Hopewell residence. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when reviewing possible schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not always the right choice. There are several other considerations 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 within this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are offered.

Definition of Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Hopewell NJ Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more attractive with the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be almost anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states require that you go through some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Hopewell NJ beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gotten experience and a clientele, open their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many professional names and work in a wide range of specialties including:

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

As earlier mentioned, in most states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exception. Only those offering more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Esthetician Certificates and Degrees

Hopewell NJ esthetician client with face mask There are basically two avenues offered to get esthetician 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 usually require 12 to 18 months to finish, 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 main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are available if you prefer to focus on just one area, for example esthetics. A degree program will also most likely incorporate management and marketing training to ensure that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Hopewell 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. Whichever type of training program you decide on, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s certified by the New Jersey Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the upcoming segment.

Online Esthetics Courses

woman attending esthetician school online in Hopewell NJ Online esthetician schools are convenient for Hopewell NJ students who are working full-time and have family obligations that make it challenging to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of online beauty school programs available that can be attended by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are frequently fast paced because many courses 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 volume of material, but you are not devoting numerous hours away from your home or commuting to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s essential that the training program you select can provide internship training in nearby salons and parlors to ensure that you also obtain the hands-on training required for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to gain the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So be sure if you decide to enroll in an online school to confirm that internship training is provided in your area.

What to Ask Esthetics Programs

Hopewell NJ models benefit from esthetic treatments Following is a list of questions that you should look into for any esthetician training program you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Hopewell residence, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt 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 consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make certain that the esthetician college you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in 08525 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 Hopewell 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 an Excellent Reputation? Any esthetician college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Hopewell NJ salon owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, check with the New Jersey school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? Some esthetician schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating 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 essential 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 well regarded for that program. If your desire is to launch a Hopewell NJ beauty salon, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a poor program in the specialty you are pursuing will not deliver the training you require.

Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting esthetician skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a beauty program provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So look for other schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from an esthetician program, it’s imperative that he or she receives support in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with Hopewell NJ businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which salons and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? The majority of esthetician schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an alternative before you determine what financial help may be offered.

Attending Esthetician School Near Hopewell NJ?

Perhaps you live in the Hopewell New Jersey area, or have found a school that you will commute to or even relocate to attend. Either way, following is some interesting background information about the location of your new esthetician program.

Hopewell, New Jersey

Hopewell is a borough in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 1,922,[8][9][10] reflecting a decline of 113 (-5.6%) from the 2,035 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 67 (+3.4%) from the 1,968 counted in the 1990 Census.[18]

Hopewell was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 14, 1891, from portions of Hopewell Township, based on the results of a referendum held on March 21, 1891. Additional portions of Hopewell Township were annexed in 1915, and the borough was reincorporated in 1924.[19]

The first Colonial influence in Hopewell was the purchase of a 30,000-acre (120 km2) tract of land by Daniel Coxe a Royal British governor of West Jersey, in the latter half of the 17th century. All land in Hopewell can be traced back to this purchase.[20] In 1691 Coxe, transferred his land to a company called The West Jersey Society of England, who intended to sell the land.[21] The society appointed an agent, Thomas Revell, to preside over the land and sell it to prospective buyers.[22] Revell then attracted settlers from New England, Long Island, and New Jersey with questionable incentives, saying that the land was fertile, and tame. However, the families that arrived in Hopewell only found vast stretches of wilderness.[23] The first settler in Hopewell Valley was Thomas Tindall who on November 10, 1699 bought a 300-acre (1.2 km2) tract of land from The West Jersey Society of England through Revell, for "ten pounds per hundred acres".[24] Other early settlers in Hopewell are said to be the Stouts, who immigrated from Holmdel to Hopewell in 1706.[25] Perhaps the first conflict between colonists in Hopewell was the dispute between Revell and the early inhabitants of Hopewell, who realized that their deeds were worthless due to Revell's false claims. Fifty settlers then organized a class action lawsuit against Revell and the West Jersey Society. The long and arduous trial took place in Burlington, and eventually ruled against the settlers, who were forced to repurchase their land or relocate. Many settlers weren't able to repay and moved north into North Jersey and New York.[26]

Choose the Right Esthetics College near Hopewell NJ

Picking and enrolling in the ideal esthetician college is essential to receive the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the responses you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your new career as a professional esthetician in Hopewell NJ.