How Long Is Cosmetology School? [Updated 2019]
If you’re thinking of going to beauty school, odds are you want to know how long it will take. Let’s face it, most people don’t look forward to years of classroom time and studying. If you happen to fall into the same category and can’t get enough of all things beauty, The Studio Academy of Beauty’s cosmetology program just might be what you’re looking for!
How long cosmetology school takes depends largely on three things: the state you’re in, the program you choose to enroll in, and what schedule you follow during your program. Let’s break it down a little bit more and give you an example of how these factors affect the timeframe!
The State
The first thing to consider is the state where you’re going to attend cosmetology school. Often this is going to be your home state, but it doesn’t have to be! Many cosmetology students choose to attend a school in another state because they have friends going to school there and they also want the experience of living in a new city!
For the most part, the required number of beauty training hours vary from state to state Even though there is a national accrediting organization for beauty schools, each state licenses professional cosmetologists separately. This means each state gets to decide which skills professionals need to have, how much practice someone needs before they are ready to work professionally (more on that in the next section), and what other requirements there are.
In some states, there are different types of licenses available. For example, Illinois offers a hair braiding license, even though this certification is not yet available in every state. These other requirements typically include having a high school diploma or GED and reaching a minimum age standard, though some states have additional requirements.
The Program
The biggest factor that impacts how long you’ll be in school is which program you choose. This goes back to the point in the previous section about states deciding which skills are required and how much practice someone needs before they can enter the workforce. These are generally combined into an overarching requirement of program hours. These hours include both instruction time and practice time.
The number of program hours required varies a lot from one program to another. For example, due to Arizona’s licensing requirements, our hairstylist program is 1000 hours while our cosmetology program is 1600 hours. The hairstylist program only covers hair, while the cosmetology program covers hair, nails, and makeup. That’s why our cosmetology program is 600 hours longer. These requirements apply to the state of Arizona specifically.
There are shorter, more specialized programs available such as nail technology and skincare as well. These specialty programs allow you to enter the workforce faster but do not offer as extensive an education. The training hours required for these programs vary, depending on the subject.
The Schedule
A major factor in the length of your cosmetology school program is whether you decide to attend part-time or full-time. .
Most programs offer a regular full-time schedule during the day, but some schools also offer part-time schedules or evening classes. Whether it’s a job, family, or another commitment, a part-time schedule may work best for some students. At The Studio Academy of Beauty, we offer different schedules for most of our programs because we want to make sure that anyone who wants to study beauty can do it.
Before choosing a schedule, you’ll want to make sure that you consider how it might affect overall program length. Each cosmetology student is required to complete the same number of hours, which means that part-time schedules take much longer to meet the hour requirements. The same applies to hairstylist students and esthetics students. Of course, any interruptions or missed days also increase the time it takes to satisfy the required program hours.
Your school can provide you with more information on the length of both full-time and part-time courses, making it easier for you to decide which option is best for you!
How Do I Get a More Specific Estimate?
Now that you’re aware of some of the factors that come into play, you’re hopefully eager to get started. If that’s the case, the best thing to do is to contact The Studio Academy of Beauty.
Our program pages have estimates for how long a typical student takes to complete the program, but the best way to get a specific estimate is to speak with an admissions specialist at your nearest location. They will get to know your circumstances and help you understand the different options available to you. These individuals can also answer any questions about paying for cosmetology school and help you apply when you’re ready.
