Cosmetology Program

Cosmetology

Careers in Cosmetology

Haircolor Artist

You're creative; love color; & love to mix things up! Dream in color? Work in color!

UpDo Specialist

Can you do the UpDo? If you were stranded on an island...would you want bobby pins, hair spray, & a mannequin?

Blowout Bar Stylist

Do you love to transform? Give you a blow dryer + curling iron = Change the world!

Men's Hair

Become a cosmetologist with a men's hair specialty.

Lash or Brow Specialist

You know the lash & the arch. You know how you can enhance the face. Demand is growing for lash & brow specialists.

Aesthetician

Cosmetologists can be aestheticians! With a cosmetologist license, you can always specialize in aesthetics.

Nail Technician

Cosmetologists can also specialize in nails!

Children's Hairstyles

Love kids? Specialize in children's hairstyles. You should have patience & a good sense of humor!

Extensions

Hair extensions are in! For length, volume, pops of color! As a service, it can take time; however, the money is great!

Beauty Influencer

Being licensed gives you credibility to tell others.

Hotel or Cruise Ship Stylist

Imagine the travel & the people you'll meet! You might not get to know your clients, but you will meet lots of them.

Media Darling

Work in media & lead fashion.

Makeup Artist

As a cosmetologist, you can work as a makeup artist, too!

On Set! Stylist to the stars!

Like celebrities? You might be on call 24/7 with finicky clients, but you might get to see the stars!

Work for us!

Working in a school & sharing your passion is especially rewarding.

Bridal Expert

Be an integral part of a very special day...the wedding day. You must be artistic, efficient, juggle clients, deal with stress, & have a good sense of humor!

Brand Educator

We work with terrific people who represent the brands we use. Fun career with lots of travel, teaching, & being on the leading edge of innovation.

Salon or Spa Owner or Education Director

Be your own boss. Or, be a manager & boss others. Or, be the educator who teaches the others!

Inventor, Manufacturer, Marketer

Take your cosmetology license & make something for other cosmetologists!

About Cosmetology

What can a cosmetologist do?

Cosmetologists can do everything that a licensed aesthetician & licensed nail technician can do. That's why it takes 1,500 clock hours while the aesthetician license training takes 750 hours. Specifically, cosmetologists can do all of the following.

hair & scalp shampoo/condition
hair coloring, tinting, bleaching
permanent waving
hair relaxing
hair cutting, thinning, shaping, trimming
curling
hair treatments
blow drying
everything under the aesthetician license
everything under the nail technology license

What is aesthetics?

An aesthetician is a professionally licensed person who identifies issues & recommends skincare services; such as, but not limited to proper product use, ingredient consultations, cleansing, facials, waxing, & makeup.
Aestheticians use their hands & work with equipment using lights, electricity, & machines such as dermabrasion or laser machines.
Aestheticians can work in a medical environment & may be called medical, paramedical, or clinical aestheticians.
Aestheticians also work in spa or salon settings or an independent.
Aestheticians treat a variety of skin types & conditions.
Clients with skin damage due to burns, scars, surgery, or other reasons will seek aestheticians for their expertise.

How much does it cost?

Total Tuition & Fees: $18,425.00

Tuition: $18,325.00
Registration Fee (Non-Refundable): $100.00
Arkansas Student Permit: $20.00
Kit, Equipment, Textbook, Supplies, Online Access to CIMA, Online Access to the Student Information System (SIS): Provided free while you are enrolled.
Sales Tax: Paid by The University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology

When can I start?

Cosmetology Start Dates 2021

Tuesday, 02 November 2021
Tuesday, 07 December 2021

Cosmetology Start Dates 2022

Cosmetology Start Dates 2023

To be posted by 01 July 2022

What is a clock hour?

Clock hours are the time that the state requires you to be "clocked in" to earn the opportunity to take the state license. Students must be engaged in "meaningful education" while they are clocked in. Most day-time programs are 30 hours maximum per week. A student who comes in late, leaves early, or does not come in to school does not get credit for the time the student is not "clocked in." To graduate & begin working, it is important to be clocked in & engaged in your education at every opportunity.

How long does it take?

Cosmetology is a 1,500 clock hour program.
If you have 100% attendance, it should take you 50 weeks; with Official School Holidays, about 52 weeks.

What is the schedule?

Cosmetology is a 1,500 clock hour program.
If you have 100% attendance, it should take you 50 weeks; with Official School Holidays, about 52 weeks.
The schedule is Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, & Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. each day.
Students are expected to arrive up to 15 minutes before class begins.

What else is included; such as my educational materials?

1 Milady Standard Cosmetology 13th Edition/ Textbook (hardcover): ISBN-13: 9781285769417 $123.95
1 Milady Standard Cosmetology MindTap/ Personal Learning Platform; ISBN- 10: 9781305632028,$249.95
You will get access to the University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology Student Information System.
You will get a 1 year membership in Associated Hair Professionals
Official Student Name Tag

What is the kit & is it included in the cost?

The University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology provides each cosmetology student with a kit to use at no cost while they are in school. Upon graduation, graduate students may keep their kit as a graduation present!

Colouration Apron
Sharkfin Student Kit (4 Shears!)
WAHL All Star Combo Kit
1" Marcel Black Gold
3/4" Marcel Black Gold
Dryer 1875w Turbo Ionic 1"
Flat Iron Black Gold Ionic 1"
T3 Brushes (5 pieces!)
Crystal Ion Carbon Comb Clutch
5 Manikins (Ms. Emily Salt & Pepper, Ms. Jenny 21.5", Ms. Nikki 16"-18", Ms. Grace 22"-24", Ms. Vanessa 18"-20", & Ms. Suzie-Kin 21.5")

Cosmetology or Aesthetics?

Which program is right for you? Take a look below to decide which is right for you.

What are my program choices?

Cosmetology - We offer only 1 that meets during the day.

Cosmetology class meets from 9:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, & Saturday.

Aesthetics - We offer 2 aesthetics programs. They are exactly the same except one meets during the day & the other meets during the evening.

Day-Time Aesthetics meets from 9:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, & Saturday.
Night-Time Aesthetics meets Night-Time Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & 2 Saturdays per month from 9:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

How long is each program?

Cosmetology is 1,500 hours (12 months)

Cosmetology is 1,500 clock hours. That means you are at school for about 12 months. How do we know? You're at school for 6 hours each day X 5 days per week = 30 hours. 1,500 hours divided by 30 hours each week = 50 weeks or about 12 months. Of course, there are days you might have to miss due to Official School Holidays etc.

Aesthetics is 750 clock hours. (6 months or 12 months)

Aesthetics Day-Time. That means you are at school for about 6 months (half the time of cosmetology students). How do we know? You're at school for 6 hours each day X 5 days per week = 30 hours per week. 750 hours divided by 30 hours each week = 25 weeks or about 6 months. Of course, there are days you might have to miss because of Official School Holidays etc.
Aesthetics Night-Time. That means you are at school for about 12 months (about the same time of cosmetology students except less hours per week). How do we know? You're at school for 3 hours each day X 3 evenings per week = 9 hours. Plus, you get to come 2 Saturdays per month. Those 2 Saturdays help you by clocking in 12 more hours each month which is about (on average) 3 hours more week. If we figure 750 hours divided by 15 hours each week = 50 weeks or about 12 months. Of course, there are days you might have to miss because of Official School Holidays etc.

What is the difference between Cosmetology & Aesthetics?

Our programs are designed to help you get a license; either a cosmetologist license (cosmetology) or an aesthetician license (aesthetics).

Cosmetologists can do everything an aesthetician license can do. Plus, cosmetologists can do everything a nail tech license can do. That means a cosmetologist can offer hair, skin, & nail services.

Aestheticians are limited to offering skincare services. That means aestheticians can perform facials & waxing, etc., but not hair or nail services.

Career Research

Finding a new career. It’s a big deal. These resources can help you find what’s right for you. When you decide, we hope you think of us for cosmetology or aesthetics training.

O*Net Online (The Occupational Information Network)

O*Net is the Occupational Information Network. It's free & contains occupation information on many different careers. Below, find links to cosmetology, aesthetics, & instructor careers.

College Navigator

The College Navigator website is operated by the US Department of Education. Each year, over 6,000 schools like ours provide lots of data (called "IPEDS") which they organize into a useful tool for you to look for schools & compare information. You can find us here:

The University of Aesthetics & Cosmetology

Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation

Cosmetologist, Aesthetician, & Instructor licenses are issued & regulated by a state department. In Illinois, it is the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation ("IDFPR").

States issue laws to regulate professional licenses, commonly called Acts. In Illinois the Act used to regulate cosmetologists, aestheticians, etc. is called (225 ILCS 410/) Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology Act of 1985

States also issue Rules which protect the public safety, health, etc. In Illinois, these Rules are a good way to understand the requirements of things like salon registration, continuing education, license renewal, etc.

Beauty Changes Lives

Beauty Changes Lives is supported by the beauty industry (schools, professionals, vendors, etc.). Beauty Changes Lives offers scholarships & information to encourage future beauty professionals to go to school & join the fun!

Beauty Changes Lives Career Info

Beauty Changes Lives has also prepared the following documents to help you learn more about joining the beauty industry.

American Association of Cosmetology Schools

The American Association of Cosmetology Schools is an association of schools that supports education & careers in beauty.

Careers in Beauty

How can you learn more?

Contact our Enrollment Team to get answers. Whether you are ready to enroll or you have more questions, we are here for you.