Cosmetology Instructor 500 Hour

This 500 hour training program is designed to assist and instruct a cosmetologist to become a cosmetology instructor. The student will learn to prepare lesson plans, teach effectively as evidenced by student's success, using teaching aids utilizing a variety of methods, and will learn to evaluate students and properly record grades.

Each student after successful completion of 500 hours in Cosmetology instructor training will be able to demonstrate technical skills and professional work standards in required subject areas, take a school examination in both theoretical and practical testing skills, and after graduation be eligible to take the Illinois examination to obtain an Illinois Teacher license and entry-level employment. The 500-hour Cosmetology Instructor program is offered at the Oswego campus only.

Graduation requirements. A diploma is issued to each student who has completed the required curriculum hours of the course, maintained not less than a 75% average on all required written and practical examinations, submitted for approval all lesson plans before graduation, and made satisfactory payment arrangements on any financial obligations to the school.

Teach real classes. Future instructors teach actual classes and work with real students in our cosmetology program, learning lesson planning, classroom structure, and how to interact with students and give them meaningful feedback.

Family-owned school. Being family-owned means we can make decisions that are best for you and work with you closely to help you achieve your goals. Because a big corporation does not own us, we don't have to follow a corporate rulebook.

To enroll in an instructor program, applicants must possess a high school diploma or equivalent and hold a valid license, and complete an interview with an admissions representative. The catalog requires a copy of a high school diploma or official transcript showing high school completion, a GED, proof of passing the HiSet exam or proof of college completion (or verified home-school or foreign completion), a copy of a current Illinois Cosmetology or Esthetics License, and that the applicant be at least 18 years of age.

Transfer students. Transfer and out-of-state students are accepted for a minimum of 500 hours of attendance in Cosmetology Instructor or 250 hours in Esthetics Instructor, upon presentation of proper hours from their school.

Length and period to complete the required hours of training depends on the course and schedule selected to attend. Schedules available and the hours of attendance:

• 30 hours per week: Tuesday - Friday 9-5, or Tuesday & Thursday 1-9, Wednesday 1-5, Saturday 9-5
• 23.5 hours per week: Tuesday - Friday 9-1 & Saturday 9-5
• 30.5 hours per week: Tuesday & Thursday 9-9, Wednesday 9-5
• 13.5 hours per week: Tuesday & Thursday 6-9 & Saturday 9-5
• 19.5 hours per week: Tuesday - Thursday 9-1 & Saturday 9-5
• 22.5 hours per week: Tuesday - Thursday 9-5

School hours: Tuesday 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.; Wednesday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.; Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The school is closed New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and for Christmas break from Dec 24 to the 1st Tuesday in January.

Upcoming start dates: November 3, 2026 and December 8, 2026. For a November 3, 2026 start, the catalog's 500-hour ending date is March 10, 2027 on the 30-hour full-time day schedule and August 3, 2027 on the 13.5-hour part-time night schedule.

Program cost. The Oswego catalog's tuition table groups "Cosmetology Instructor 1000 & Cosmetology Instructor 500": Registration Fee $100.00; Class Kit (Instructor Books, etc.) $1,100.00; Tuition $9,850.00; Total $11,050.00. The transfer rate for Cosmetology Instructor is $9.85 per hour.

Method of payment. Tuition, kit, and registration fee may be paid by cash, credit card, money order, check, Title IV, loan, etc. The Registration Fee is payable upon enrollment; the Class Kit is payable prior to the first day of attendance if purchased from the school, unless financial aid is being utilized; a monthly tuition payment schedule is available (1st payment is due before or on 1st day of school). If the student does not complete the required hours and all other schooling requirements before the calculated completion date, any remaining hours are charged at $5.00 per hour.

Financial aid. The school's sources do not say whether federal financial aid applies to this program; contact the school's financial aid office for details. Students may request an adjustment to their financial aid through professional judgment for special or unusual circumstances.

FAFSA school code. 015970.

Scholarships and discounts. Hair Professionals offers scholarships to graduating seniors of area high schools for certain start dates, and may offer a scholarship based upon attendance and grades payable upon graduation. Alumni discounts: Cosmetology graduates can receive a $1,500 discount toward the Esthetics Course, Esthetics graduates a $2,500 discount toward the Cosmetology Course, and Cosmetology and Esthetics graduates a $1,500 discount for an Instructor Course. The school also participates in the AACS ACE Program, and students may apply for Beauty Changes Lives and AACS industry partner scholarships.

Within the field of Cosmetology Teaching, there are many options available to you, including beauty and hair instructor, salon owner or manager, platform artist, advanced training in hair salon, product manufacturer rep and CE educator.

Outcomes (Hair Professionals School of Cosmetology Oswego). NACCAS rates for data year 2022, derived from all students scheduled to graduate in 2022 (all programs at this campus):

• Graduation Rate 74.32%
• Placement Rate 70.59%
• Licensure Rate 87.5%

71% Graduation Rate within 150% (IPEDS 2020-21 cohort).

Employment assistance. Hair Professionals cannot guarantee employment for any student. Current job listings are made available to graduating students, and the school extends every effort to aid graduates in finding suitable employment.