Cosmetology

Are you looking for an exciting new career in cosmetology? Look no further than Award Beauty School. Now you can enjoy the benefits of earning a great income, the freedom to set your own schedule, and the rewarding praise from satisfied customers. The program holds 1500 hours of instruction.

Students at Award Beauty School receive comprehensive training in hair braiding, haircuts, hair styling, skin care and customer service. You will not only receive classroom instruction, but we provide real-world training from experienced instructors who teach you what it takes to be a sought-after hair stylist. We've designed the program to give you a real-world experience working with clients in a safe classroom environment. You will be well on your way to success once you've completed your program at the Award Beauty School.

Program description. Cosmetology is the cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair and nails. The art of Cosmetology is the actual performance of the many beauty cultural practices. To derive the utmost benefit from Cosmetology, practical performance, demonstration and practice are employed in conjunction with the study of theory.

Program purpose. For the student to acquire a broad knowledge of both the science and art of Cosmetology and be able to use the knowledge as a foundation to be successful in the profession of Cosmetology; to develop physical dexterity and manipulative skills and loyalty and enthusiasm for the profession; to acquire ethical standards; and to prepare students for the Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists examination and entry level employment.

Program objectives. Upon completion of the Cosmetology Program, the student will be able to:

• Analyze hair and scalp problems and administer corrective treatments.
• Have a thorough knowledge of anatomy, hair structure and chemistry.
• Administer cold/acid waving techniques and chemical and physical techniques of hair straightening.
• Care for and style wigs, and administer a professional shampoo and hair coloring.
• Create hair styles using roller placement, thermal waving/curling, finger waves, pin curls and blow curling/waving.
• Administer a facial with make-up and remove superfluous hair.
• Administer a professional manicure, pedicure, and nail extensions.
• Operate/open a salon and employ the principles and practices of salon management.
• Practice and employ the rules, regulations, and laws of the Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists.
• Administer a professional hair shaping, practice good salesmanship, and seek and obtain employment.

Instructional methods. Methods of lecture, demonstration, drill, role play, discussion, handouts - assignment sheets - job sheets, audio/visual aids, student participation, question and answer, and textbook/workbook will be utilized. Students must maintain a cumulative academic grade average of 75% or better.

Licensing examination. To be eligible for examination to receive a cosmetology license, the applicant shall be at least 17 years old, have a minimum ninth (9th) grade education, and have completed 1500 hours of fundamental training according to the Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists mandatory minimum standard curriculum. Criminal convictions may affect a student's ability to be licensed.

Award Beauty School has been training students in Hagerstown, Maryland, and the tri-state area for over fifty (50) years. The facility features modern beauty equipment, separate theory classrooms, and a modern laboratory where advanced students receive practical and clinical training. Award Beauty School is approved for financial aid programs and offers job placement assistance upon graduation.

Facilities. The school is located at 26 East Antietam Street, Hagerstown, Maryland, and has been in operation since 1963. The building has two floors of classrooms, is equipped with modern equipment and is approximately 5,476 square feet. In 2010 Award Beauty School expanded its campus to a building directly across the street at 29-33 East Antietam Street, approximately 4,000 square feet, which teaches the Cosmetology Program. The school maintains a student/instructor ratio of 25/1, and students have access to all services at both facilities.

A personal interview and visit to the school are required of all prospective students. An applicant may enroll in Award Beauty School after the successful completion of the following criteria: meet all admission requirements, sign an enrollment agreement with the school, and obtain a class start date. All requirements must be met prior to beginning class.

Applicants who possess a cosmetology, barber or esthetician diploma and request credit for 750 cosmetology hours, 600 barber hours or 150 esthetician hours must present a copy of their cosmetology/barber/esthetician diploma prior to enrollment and request this credit. Students who withdraw prior to completion of the program and wish to re-enroll will return in the same Satisfactory Academic Progress status as at the time of withdrawal.

Full-time 40 hours per week (37.5 weeks), 30 hours per week (50 weeks) or 25 hours per week (60 weeks); part-time 20 hours per week (75 weeks); day and evening schedules.

Start dates. Students may enroll during business hours at Award Beauty School. Day classes begin the first Monday of each month; evening classes begin the first Tuesday evening of each month. Upcoming day-class starts: November 2, 2026; December 7, 2026; January 4, 2027; February 1, 2027; March 1, 2027; April 5, 2027; May 3, 2027; June 7, 2027. Training days missed due to inclement weather may be made up at the end of the program.

Day attendance schedules (Cosmetology, Barbering, Nail Technician, Esthetics). 40 hours: 8:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Monday through Friday. 30 hours: 8:30 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. Monday through Friday. 25 hours: 8:30 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. Monday through Friday. 20 hours: 8:30 A.M. - 12:30 P.M. Monday through Friday (Cosmetology and Nail Technician) or 1:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. Monday through Friday.

Evening attendance schedules (Cosmetology, Barbering, Nail Technician and Esthetics). 30 hours: 1:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday (students may begin one day of attendance at 1:30 P.M.) and 8:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Saturday. 25 hours: 2:30 P.M. - 9:00 P.M. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday (students may begin one day of attendance at 3:30 P.M.) and 8:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Saturday. 20 hours: 5:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and 8:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Saturday.

Cost of attendance. Cosmetology Program - 1,500 hours of instruction: Tuition $25,500; Enrollment Fee $150; Kit/Books/Uniform $1,995; Total Cost $27,645. The fees for tuition, student kit and book represent the total funds to be paid by the student.

Financial aid. Award Beauty School is approved by the U.S. Department of Education to provide financial assistance to those who qualify. The Financial Aid Office is responsible for administering all Federal Financial Aid Programs, including Pell Grants, Stafford Student Loan, PLUS Loans (parental loans for undergraduate students). All students who wish to be considered for Financial Aid at Award Beauty School must submit the Federal Application for Financial Aid to determine eligibility for financial assistance (FAFSA school code 008263). Award Beauty School also offers private funding sources to fulfill your educational needs.

Title IV eligibility. Applicants that do not possess a high school diploma are not eligible for Title IV funding (financial aid). The school did not meet the 90/10 test requirement for fiscal year ending 12/31/24 for one year, and its eligibility for Title IV aid could be at risk.

Title IV disbursements. Title IV financial aid is disbursed in increments of four payments (if applicable), based on the ACTUAL hours a student has completed in the program, at 1, 451, 901 and 1201 actual hours.

Methods of payment. Cash, Check, Credit Card, or Money Order. If a student chooses to pay their tuition in increments, a monthly in-school payment plan may be set up, contingent upon approval by the school Director.

Kit, books and uniform. Each student shall be supplied with a student kit on the first day of class. As an additional expense, each student shall be required to purchase, by the first day of school, a white uniform/black pants (approximately $25.00), white closed toe professional shoes or white leather sneakers, notebook, and pen and pencils. In lieu of kit and books fee, students may purchase their own kit and books on the open market. Not included in the total cost would be the cost for supplies and/or equipment for personal use.

Refunds. Refunds follow the Maryland Higher Education Commission Refund Policy published in the catalog; the cost of the Kit/Books/Uniform becomes the property of the student when issued on the first day of class.

Once the student has completed the program and passed the Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists examination for licensure, he/she will be qualified to obtain employment as a Cosmetologist in a salon, a demonstrator for a cosmetic firm, operator in a department store salon, as well as other opportunities.

Cosmetology is a lifetime or part-time career for those who qualify. In the salon, Cosmetologists perform many services, including manicuring, hairstyling, daytime and evening make-up, temporary and permanent waving, temporary and permanent hair straightening, hair lightening and hair coloring, care and styling of wigs and various facial and scalp treatments. Many Cosmetologists will specialize in one, or any number of these services.

Job opportunities. Salon or Day Spa Owner, Hair Designer, Image Consultant, Hair Color Specialist, Director of Education, Salon/Spa Manager, Salon Sales Consultant, Platform Artist/Educator, Beauty Care Product Distributor, Manufacturer's Sales Rep, Cosmetology Instructor.

Cosmetology program outcome rates (2023). According to the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences: Graduation Rate 54.90%, Licensure Rate 100.00%, Placement Rate 85.19%.

Institutional outcome rates (2023). According to the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences, the 2023 institutional outcome rates are: Graduation Rate 67.95%, License Exam Pass Rate 100.00%, Placement Rate 79.07%.

Placement assistance. The school offers job placement services to help graduates' efforts to secure employment in the field represented by the program the graduate completed, or in a related field, including a professional appearance guideline, job referral and follow-up. The school will assist students with resume writing and scheduling interviews with prospective employers; the school does not guarantee employment. Award Beauty School maintains a job placement resource for which prospective jobs are posted and updated on a frequent basis.

The Ultimate Educational Experience. Award Beauty School provides a solid foundation of disciplines to support your career growth. In addition to a full curriculum of classroom instruction, Award Beauty School also provides the ultimate educational experience—hands-on training in the classroom salon/clinic. The on-site, active salon/clinic is a real salon environment where students who have achieved a set number of classroom hours can work on paying clients under teacher supervision. Although no school or college can guarantee a job for its graduates, at Award Beauty School we do our best to provide lifetime placement assistance to our graduates.

Getting here. Public transportation is readily available to and from Award Beauty School, and parking is adjacent to the school. Monthly discounted parking passes are available to purchase directly from the city of Hagerstown for the city-parking garage.