Cosmetology

Become a Licensed Cosmetologist in 34 Weeks. Train on real clients from the start. Graduate with a Texas cosmetology license that covers hair, skin, and nails — giving you the full range of services that premium salons are looking for when they hire.

Our comprehensive Cosmetology program covers hands-on technical and practical knowledge of advanced hair techniques, basic beauty care, and nail technology. You will learn to master and manipulate beauty treatment esthetics and applications, and to interact with and consult your clientele to achieve satisfaction.

Level of program occupation. As a licensed Cosmetology practitioner, you may perform all hair services that include shampooing, styling, cutting, chemical services, wigs, hair extensions, and hot tool services. In addition to the Cosmetology license, the practitioner may perform all skin and nail services that include facials, waxing, eye lash and brow treatments, facial equipment, pedicuring, manicuring, and nail enhancements.

Course description. Students in training will have a 8-week required classroom instruction taught in English that will include theoretical lectures and classroom work, demonstrations, practicing on mannequins and at times perform on a live model in the classroom setting. After completing the required classroom instruction, the student will be allowed to participate in the student salon to continue their training on live guests and mannequins under the supervision of licensed instructors for the duration of their required clock hour training.

Course objective. The institution is prepared to provide instruction to take and pass the state licensure written and practical exams and provide skills necessary for entry-level work in a professional salon or related occupation and build strong client and employment relationships.

The Pivot Point curriculum. At Baldwin Beauty Schools, we are proud to use the Pivot Point International curriculum — a comprehensive hair and beauty education curriculum used around the world. Through practical applications that include hair care, skin services, nail technician, and facial makeup, we give our students the experience and mentoring they need to become reputable, credible beauty care professionals. Upon enrollment, you will be given text course books including the Salon Fundamentals training textbook and workbook and a supply kit generated from Pivot Point.

Eight months in a busy student salon. This course includes 8 weeks of intensive classroom work as part of the 8 months of hands-on client work in our full-service Student Salon (open to the public). A busy student salon offers volumes of practical hands-on experience on live models, allowing the student a true salon experience every day.

Top brand products. At Baldwin Beauty Schools, we only use top brand beauty supplies for the benefit of our students and our clients, including Wella Hair Care, Redken, Dermalogica, Creative Nail Design and OPI. In addition to the curriculum basics, all students participate in our Retail Skills and Salon Business courses, which teach sales techniques, career management skills and how to build a steady client base.

In person, on site. We are not a hybrid school – we prioritize in-person training with experienced instructors over learning from a screen or recording. All your work is done in the classroom or the Student Salon on site; there is no out-of-hours work required.

Austin’s beauty school since 1960. Baldwin Beauty Schools has prepared Austin’s beauty professionals for over 64 years, and is proud to have graduated more students than any other cosmetology program in Austin. There are literally hundreds of salons in central Texas that got their beginnings in one of our schools.

All prospective students requesting information on enrollment at Baldwin Beauty Schools must make an appointment with the administrator. Prior to enrollment a prospective student is given a school catalog, and must successfully complete a personal interview with an Admissions Representative or designate. Students must be 17 or older to apply for any course offerings.

Proof of education. You must provide a high school diploma of completion/transcript, GED, approved homeschool certificate, or college degree/transcript. Specifically, the high school transcript must show high school completion; a college transcript must show a minimum of two years completion toward a bachelor program. Students enrolling at Baldwin Beauty Schools may not be enrolled in a high school program. All forms of completion must be translated into English: diplomas of completion that are not in English are to be verified by an outside agency that is qualified to translate documents into English and confirmed as academically equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma. The school does not accept Ability-to-Benefit.

At enrollment. Every student must sign an Enrollment Contract and submit a Non-Refundable Enrollment Fee of $100.00. A $25.00 registration fee made payable to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation is required of first time enrollees, in the form of a debit or credit card. Private pay students are required to make a down payment for tuition. Newly enrolled students are required to submit 2 passport size photos and a copy of a driver’s license or state ID, together with any and all necessary documentation for students applying for financial aid. Prior to starting class, you must have all financial aid paperwork completed.

Transfer students. Baldwin Beauty Schools, at its discretion, will accept up to 500 transfer clock hours for Cosmetology from a student transferring from another institution. The transferring student must supply the administrator with their state permit number to obtain access to their transcript of hours and proof of any previous tuition balances paid in full. Transfer students will receive credit for hours received from other schools according to state law, and the tuition will be adjusted accordingly. Determination of hours accepted may be based upon the institution and time period of which the hours were earned; any and all hours must be accepted/approved at the time of enrollment and will be reflected on the enrollment agreement. Once the student has begun attending any course of instruction, no additional transfer hours will be accepted.

Admission policy. Baldwin Beauty Schools is a private beauty school and may refuse admission to an applicant for any reason not protected by state or federal law. A person registering at Baldwin Beauty Schools cannot be enrolled in any other cosmetology school at the same time. A student may re-enter a program after they have withdrawn from a course. The school does not provide on-campus housing.

Full time, 32 clock hours a week. Baldwin Beauty Schools is a clock hour program and not a credit hour program. This institution informs and encourages all students to attend the 32 clock hour week and complete in normal time. The Cosmetology program is 1,000 clock hours, 34 weeks; students attending full time will complete in normal time of 8 months. Circumstances such as part-time work, child care, illness, or an approved leave of absence may extend graduates past normal time and realistically complete in 9-11 months.

The school day. Class hours are Tuesday – Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm, and the Student Salon serves clients Tuesday – Thursday 9:30am – 5:00pm and Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm. Classes are typically held in the morning, followed by salon floor work in the afternoon. The program begins with 8 weeks of required classroom instruction before students move to the Student Salon.

Start dates. The school publishes its 2026 start dates by program; the dates remaining in 2026 for Cosmetology are November 17, December 8 and December 15, 2026 (the Cosmetology page says new classes begin every month). The catalog prices the program for full-time study; the Apply Now page invites applicants interested in part-time to say so on their application.