Cosmetology (1,000 Hours)

If you’re buzzing with creative energy and can’t wait to start an exciting new career in hair and beauty, the Cosmetology program at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute – Arlington could be the perfect match for you.

Our program focuses on all things hair, from cutting and styling to coloring, waving, scalp treatments, and more. But that’s not all—you’ll also dive into manicuring, skin care, makeup artistry, and beyond!

The Cosmetology program at our Arlington campus combines classroom learning with hands-on experience. You’re guided through each topic by our expert instructors, who keep you on track as you gain confidence in your skills and prepare for the state of Virginia’s cosmetology licensing exam.

However, our program is about so much more than just passing a test. You also cover the skills needed to help you stand out from the crowd and succeed as an Aveda retail product specialist, salon manager, or even salon owner.

The first 20 weeks of the program focus on Fundamentals and Methods. Then, for the final 30 weeks, you’ll study Concepts, Fusion, and Artistry. This breaks down into:

• 63 hours of orientation covering law, ethics, school policies, and cleanliness
• 90 hours on manicuring and pedicuring
• 117 hours on skin care and makeup
• 1,078 hours on hair, including shampooing and rinsing, scalp treatments, styling, cutting, perms and relaxing, coloring, and bleaching
• 23 hours working with wigs and hairpieces
• 55 hours on salon management

The objective of this program is to prepare the students for the state licensing examination in cosmetology. The program is intended to train students to enter the workforce as an entry-level hair stylist. A student will also learn the technical, personal, and business skills to prepare for the work in a professional salon as a stylist, retail sales specialist, salon manager, or salon owner with a focus on Aveda techniques and products.

Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Arlington offers cosmetology, esthetics, and instructor training programs. Students receive classroom and hands-on lessons from teachers who emphasize real-world applications. We also offer opportunities for students to participate in diverse community and professional events like DC Fashion Week, Arlington Pride, the Edwin Neill II Full Potential Student Competition, and more. These activities let students practice their skills and encounter industry professionals.

With Aveda, it’s about way more than passing the state board exam. It’s about seeing your career as limitless. Sure, you’ll learn to cut hair or perform facials—but you’ll also gain confidence in finding and retaining clients, marketing, and business development.

You’ll get all this, plus comprehensive experience using the world-renowned Aveda line of plant-based, sustainable products and access to a global network of Aveda professionals across thousands of salons and spas.

Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Arlington delivers a well-rounded beauty education with strong graduation rate (83.9%), placement rate (82.8%), and licensure (83.6%) outcomes that consistently exceed industry standards.*

If you’ve got any questions about enrolling in the cosmetology program here at the Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Arlington, feel free to reach out any time. The minimum requirements to join the program are:

Age: 16

Education: High school diploma (or equivalent)

Other Requirements: Submit an application, pay a $50 non-refundable application fee, submit a government-issued ID with proof of age and photo, and social security card. You must also schedule an interview with an Admissions Manager.

Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute is committed to ensuring a safe educational environment and reserves the right to deny admission to applicants with a criminal record. Transfer hours are only accepted from schools within the Aveda Institute network.

Cosmetology (1000 hours): 4-day, 31.25 hours per week, 34 weeks full-time. Phase 1 and Phase 2: Monday 9:00 AM to 5:45 PM (45-minute lunch), Tuesday through Thursday 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM (45-minute lunch). Phase 3 and Phase 4: Wednesday 9:00 AM to 5:45 PM (45-minute lunch), Thursday through Saturday 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM (45-minute lunch).

Upcoming start dates: November 16, 2026.

Tuition: $17,700. Kit fee: $3,200 (kit fees are mandatory and may not be pro-rated; students may not opt out of kit fees). Application fee: $50 (nonrefundable; not eligible for VA funding).

Total of listed charges: $20,950.

Required textbooks are included in the kit cost, but students can choose to purchase their textbooks from another source, in which case the kit fee is reduced by the applicable cost.

Payment plans: students can pay in installments through an interest-free monthly payment plan; no interest is charged if the total is paid off before graduation.

Financial aid is available for those students that meet the necessary requirements. Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes participate in the Pell Grant Program and the Federal Direct Loan Program. Complete the FAFSA at fafsa.gov using federal school code 014724.

Veterans’ benefits are not available in all institute locations, and only to those who qualify.

Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute graduates who enroll in another program receive a 15% discount off the published tuition rate.

The program is intended to train students to enter the workforce as an entry-level hair stylist, with the technical, personal, and business skills to work in a professional salon as a stylist, retail sales specialist, salon manager, or salon owner.

Graduation, placement and licensure (2024 Annual Report to NACCAS, as published in the 2026-27 catalog — Arlington, Cosmetology): graduation 73.86%, placement 82.93%, licensure 80.39%.

Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes do not guarantee employment to students; however, the schools assist students in finding employment, hold annual job fairs, and can assist with out-of-state placement subject to licensing transfer.

You can find Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Arlington on Glebe Road in the historic Ballston neighborhood of Arlington. Our students appreciate the campus’ convenient access to the Ballston Metro station, where they can catch the Orange and Silver lines, as well as a nearby parking garage for those who drive. The campus’ central location also means that you can run errands at the nearby grocery store or bank or walk to the Ballston Quarter shopping center, Good Company Doughnuts, Compass Coffee, Starbucks, or Chick-fil-A.

It isn’t just the neighborhood that makes Aveda Arts & Sciences – Arlington unique. This facility offers sparkling clinic floors and cosmetology classrooms filled with natural light. Additionally, we have a one-of-a-kind dream room specifically designed for photo shoots. Here, you can expand your portfolio with impressive, professional-level before-and-after photos showcasing your talents.

Aveda Arts Arlington offers a rigorous curriculum that emphasizes personal wellness as key to professional excellence. Our stylish, new campus radiates youthful energy and aligns with Aveda’s earth-conscious mission. In our fast-paced programs, supervised students train directly with guests in real salon and spa environments, gaining the hands-on experience needed to launch their careers.