Esthiology (1,000 Hours)

At Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Birmingham, our standout Esthiology (Esthetician) program is designed to prepare you for a successful, dynamic career in the growing skincare and spa sector. Our student-centered program, led by a team of experienced industry experts, offers an inclusive environment for every type of learner.

The Esthiology program at our Birmingham campus combines contemporary skin science with centuries-old body care traditions, all taught by esthetics industry pros. We’re proud to take a plant-based approach to skincare and emphasize the power of effective treatments and products that are health-conscious and earth-conscious.

As a student in our Esthiology program, you’ll combine theoretical knowledge with hands-on training, developing skills in skin analysis, draping, cleansing, mask therapy, and hair removal. You’ll also hone marketable skills in essential spa practices, including massage, aromatherapy, and makeup.

Beyond the skills developed through hands-on training, you’ll also spend time in the classroom, gaining an understanding of how physiology, anatomy, nutrition, and chemistry can impact and inform your daily work as an esthetician.

The curriculum provides skin care training with an emphasis on using pure plant and plant essences in treatment. The objective of this program is to prepare students for the state licensing examination in esthetics. Upon completion, students will have the skills to seek employment as a skin care specialist with the knowledge of Aveda products and spa techniques.

Our Birmingham campus is home to experienced instructors who share a passion for passing on skills you’ll need to be a successful new beauty pro. Aveda Arts and Sciences Institutes – Birmingham offers two programs: Cosmetology (hair, nail, skin, makeup) and Esthiology (skincare).

Our student-centered programming has been developed to help students achieve their goals. We recognize that in a diverse community of students, each brings their own experiences, skills, and learning styles. As a result, we approach our teaching from multiple angles, introducing the theoretical foundations of cosmetology and esthetics while prioritizing hands-on learning. Throughout our programs, our students are able to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world, real-people scenarios.

Your future instructors are established in the Alabama beauty industry and know firsthand that beauty skills—while important—are not enough alone to launch you into a new career. They’ll also introduce you to business skills such as how to market yourself and how to maintain great client relationships. We want our graduates to have the business smarts needed to run a salon or start their own beauty enterprise.

Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Birmingham equips students with the skills and confidence to succeed, with 83.7% graduation rate and a 100% pass rate for eligible students who sat for the state licensing exam.*

At Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Birmingham, we want to get to know you as you start the application and enrollment process. We encourage all prospective students to visit our campus and tour our top-notch facility yourself.

The requirements to enroll in an Esthiology program at our Birmingham campus include:

Age – 16 years

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 a social security card. You must also schedule an interview with an Admissions team member.

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.

Esthiology: 30 hours per week, Wednesday – Saturday 9am – 5:30pm (1-hour lunch).

Upcoming start dates: December 8, 2026.

Tuition: $15,050. Kit fee: $2,200 (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: $17,300.

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 026009.

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.

Net Price Calculator: https://avedaarts.edu/wp-content/themes/avedaarts/net-price-calculators/npcalc-birmingham.htm

Upon completion, students will have the skills to seek employment as a skin care specialist; job opportunities are available in the salon, medical and retail industries as Esthetician and Makeup Artist.

Graduation, placement and licensure (2024 Annual Report to NACCAS, as published in the 2026-27 catalog — Birmingham, Esthiology): graduation 93.41%, placement 75.81%, licensure 100.00%.

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.

Enter our Birmingham campus’ dramatic arched entrance and feel the magic of Alabama’s premier destination for beauty education. You’ll feel inspired to put your creative talent to work in the spa-like interior with high ceilings and tastefully finished in sepia tones. This supportive and inclusive environment includes many spaces for education and instruction, from classrooms to the student clinic floor—as well as a full retail space stocked with Aveda products.

Located in the upscale Riverchase Galleria in Hoover, the Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute – Birmingham campus features plenty of parking and easy access from I-459, Hwy 31, and I-65.

Being attached to the mall means you can work your life rhythms into your beauty school schedule. Swing by Galleria Coffee 168 for pre-class coffee or grab lunch with your bestie classmates at Panera across the street—you’re in the middle of the action.

Located in the nearby suburb of Hoover, the Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Birmingham is one of the top beauty schools in the area, using only naturally-derived products with certified organic ingredients. With a curriculum focused on personal wellness and professional excellence, students benefit from hands-on training and a global network of over 6,500 salons. The stylish, energy-filled campus offers fast-paced programs in Cosmetology and Esthiology, where students practice their craft in real-world salon and spa environments. This practical experience equips them to launch successful careers in the beauty and spa industries.