If you’ve ever thought about breaking into the cosmetology field, there’s no better time than the present with a school like The Career Academy of Cosmetology right in your backyard.
The Career Academy recently moved into a new building that also underwent a facelift last month. “Our new facility is absolutely beautiful,” says Julie Jansen, Program Manager for the San Joaquin County Office of Education. “As new visitors come in the front door, they are greeted by a warm, earthy color scheme with a beautifully modern décor.” The facility is over 10,000 square feet and accommodates 100 student stations, a large theory room, a separate facial room and dryer area, and a color mix lab.
Students can opt to attend full (32.5 hours/week for 50 weeks) or part-time (20 hours/week for 80 weeks) to complete the coursework and earn the certificate required to take the California State Board Exam for their cosmetology license. According to Jansen, “Our students are provided with an intense 1600-hour cosmetology course that incorporates (but is not limited to) manicures, pedicures, facials, perms, hair coloring and cutting. Upon completion of the program, our students are well prepared to take the state board exam to receive a cosmetology license. We have a very high state board passing rate.”
If cost is your main concern, the academy’s fee-based program for adults is $10,000, which includes tuition, books and a kit – a price Jansen assures is “significantly less expensive than schools offering the same program”. She also anticipates being able to offer financial aid to qualified students by this
coming spring.
In addition to the new facility and lower tuition, another key point of differentiation from other institutes, according to Jansen, is the certified instructors – professional cosmetologists with many years of experience in the field. She mentions many attended academies by prominent professionals like Vidal Sassoon, Toni and Guy, Sebastian, Robert Cromeans and Trevor Sorbie, and that they continue to work in salons and attend trade shows to stay current with the latest trends.
Another benefit to attending cosmetology school at the Career Academy is the adherence to a traditional school calendar, which enables students to receive short breaks during the school year to prevent them from feeling overwhelmed or getting burned out. “Because the program is offered under the San Joaquin County Office of Education, we are student focused,” imparts Jansen. “Our goal is to ensure that our
students successfully complete the program and pass the state board test.”
Prior to graduation, students complete a resume and are provided with job search training. Upon completing the program, instructors and support staff keep in contact with students to provide assistance with job placement. “We hold regular advisory meetings, in which our business partners provide valuable input regarding job openings, hiring practices, and review our curriculum to ensure that we are current with employer expectations,” Jansen concludes. The school is currently in candidacy status for accreditation thru the Council on Occupational Education (COE), with full accreditation anticipated in 2014.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
The Career Academy of Cosmetology
3314 Delaware Avenue, Stockton
(209) 229-4256 / www.sjcoecac.org