Cosmetology

Are you passionate about hair, makeup, and beauty? Do you enjoy expressing your creativity and transforming someone's look? At Hair Professionals Career College, we offer a comprehensive cosmetology training program that blends artistry and technical training to give students an opportunity to hone their talents and become business-savvy professionals.

Cosmetology is defined as the art and science of beautifying and improving the skin, nails and hair. Each student after successful completion of 1500 hours in cosmetology 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 Cosmetology license and entry-level employment.

Our 1,500-hour program combines artistry, technical training, and hands-on experience. Along with technical skills, you can learn business basics: building a client base, showing your talents, and marketing yourself on social media.

What you can learn. Haircutting, hair styling, hair coloring, chemical hair treatments, hair design, skincare, manicures, pedicures, hair, skin, and nails anatomy, makeup application, salon safety and sanitation, salon management, professional ethics, state laws and regulations, and more.

Graduation requirements. A diploma is issued to each student who has completed 1500 hours of training, maintained not less than a 75% average on all required written and practical examinations, taken and passed a written and practical School Board Exam with a minimum of 80%, and made satisfactory payment arrangements on any financial obligations to the school.

Powered by the Pivot Point System. Students in our cosmetology school use the Pivot Point system, an innovative teaching method that can combine theory with hands-on practice; Pivot Point LAB is utilized by students and staff.

Smaller class sizes. By keeping our class sizes small, we create an environment where students can actively engage in discussions, receive hands-on training, and build meaningful connections with their instructors.

Hands-on salon training. Practice cutting, coloring, chemical services, styling, skincare, and nail services while working with real guests under instructor supervision.

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.

Six schedule options. With our commitment to flexibility and customization, we offer six distinct schedules for our cosmetology, esthetics, and instructor classes.

TikTok Shop training included. Students learn how to build a personal brand, grow a real following, and turn their beauty skills into income through a complete course from Jenn Lyles, a Top 1% TikTok Shop creator, delivered in 11 short, self-paced modules. Hair Professionals Career College includes it in all programs, cosmetology and esthetics, at no extra cost.

To enroll, applicants must be 17 years of age, have a high school diploma or GED, complete the Enrollment Agreement and pay the Registration Fee. High school completion may be shown by a copy of the diploma, GED certificate, a transcript showing high school completion, proof of passing the HiSet exam, proof of college completion, evidence of completed home schooling that state law treats as a home or private school, or a foreign diploma verified by a qualified outside agency. A limited number of high school students (no more than 10% of students enrolled in a year) may be admitted with written permission from their secondary school and a pre-enrollment evaluation; they are not eligible for financial aid until they receive a high school diploma.

Transfer students. The school accepts transfer and out-of-state students, who must complete a minimum of 500 hours of attendance in Cosmetology or 250 hours in Esthetics upon presentation of transcripts of hours from their previous school; the minimum may be waived if the previous school is closing.

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 1500-hour ending date is October 28, 2027 on the 30-hour full-time day schedule and January 25, 2029 on the 13.5-hour part-time night schedule.

Program cost. Registration Fee $100.00; Class Kit (if purchased from school) $3,100.00; Tuition $21,162.00; Total $24,362.00. The class kit includes Pivot Point LAB "Learn About Beauty" online social learning environment, the Cosmetology study guide/textbooks and the Student Tool Kit; students must also purchase a Dry Sanitizer for combs and brushes, required by the State of Illinois. Textbooks are included in the cost of the kit (MSRP: Pivot Point Fundamentals Cosmetology course book set $201.00; study guide $119.00). Palos Hills tuition is $20,162.00 for start dates July 16, 2024 and prior and $21,162.00 for start dates August 20, 2024 and after.

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. Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Financial aid includes grants, which do not need to be repaid, and the loan programs (Subsidized Direct Loans, Unsubsidized Direct Loans, and PLUS), which require repayment plus interest. To determine eligibility, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); the school's financial aid team can assist you in this process.

FAFSA school code. 025877.

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, there are many options available to you, including haircutter, salon owner or manager, hair designer, color/perm specialist, platform artist, make-up artist, wedding hair & makeup and manicurist. Our team will work with you closely to help you achieve your goals, and while we can't guarantee employment, we'll do our best to connect you with new opportunities, including helping you prepare a resume, practice for interviews, guest speakers, and build your confidence.

Outcomes (Hair Professionals Career College Palos Hills). NACCAS rates for data year 2022, derived from all students scheduled to graduate in 2022 (all programs at this campus):

• Graduation Rate 79.25%
• Placement Rate 73.33%
• Licensure Rate 93.75%

75% 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.