Hairdressing & Cosmetology

The 1,000-clock-hour Hairdressing and Cosmetology course is designed to educate the graduate in all the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary to gain an entry-level job in the beauty industry, as well as the fundamentals needed to pass the New York State Board Examination for licensure in Hairdressing and Cosmetology. Students are trained to perform basic skills in haircutting, hairstyling, hair lightening, chemical texture services including permanent waving and relaxing, and skin and nail care, and to project professionalism and communicate effectively with employers and clients.

The program combines classroom education with practical training in a supervised student salon. The program is offered at both the Hauppauge and Hempstead campuses.

Long Island Beauty School opened its doors more than 80 years ago, in 1941, as the first beauty school on Long Island, and has been family owned for generations. The school is accredited by NACCAS, licensed by the New York State Education Department's Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision, and a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools and the New York State Beauty School Association.

• Opportunities such as New York Fashion Week, films and photoshoots let students build their portfolio and work behind the scenes with models, designers and producers.
• Renowned beauty-industry professionals regularly visit to demonstrate new and innovative techniques.
• Instructors and staff are hair industry professionals themselves.
• Flexible full-time and part-time, day and evening classes, with new classes starting every month.
• Payment plans at 0% interest, and free job placement assistance for graduates.
• Two Long Island campuses, in Hauppauge and Hempstead.

Students must be at least 17 years of age, with a copy of a birth certificate or other acceptable proof of age. At minimum, a high school diploma or a High School Equivalency (HSE, formerly GED) credential is required. A student without either may qualify as an Ability to Benefit student by passing the Wonderlic Ability to Benefit Examination, though ATB students may not qualify for federal student aid. Foreign diplomas must be translated if needed and evaluated by a qualified outside agency for U.S. equivalency.

Applicants fill out a short application verifying their personal information and are interviewed by an admissions representative during a campus tour. Hours earned at another institution may be credited after review of an official transcript and, if required, a theory or practical skills assessment, all completed before the Enrollment Agreement is signed; hours earned by distance education may not be transferable.

Cosmetology takes approximately 8 to 14 months depending on the schedule, with rolling enrollment and new classes every month. At Hempstead the 1,000 hours run full-time day at 30 hours a week for 34 weeks, part-time day at 25 hours a week for 40 weeks, or part-time night at 12 hours a week for 75 weeks.

At Hauppauge the options are full-time day at 30 hours a week for 34 weeks, part-time day or night at 22.5 hours a week for 45 weeks, or part-time night at 16 hours a week for 63 weeks. Classes run throughout the year with no formal closing period, apart from official holidays.

Tuition differs by campus. At Hempstead, tuition is $15,300, with a $100 registration fee, $325 books and a $675 kit (catalog total $16,400). At Hauppauge, tuition is $16,100, with a $100 registration fee, $375 textbooks and an $825 starter kit. Sales tax applies to books and kits.

• Federal aid: Pell Grant, Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, Parent PLUS loans and SEOG for those who qualify.
• Payment plans: 0% interest plans, plus TFC (Tuition Financing Credit Corp.).
• Scholarships: outside cosmetology scholarships such as the Arnold M. Miller Find-A-Way Scholarship (up to $15,000), Great Clips and Milady Rise.
• Veterans: the school is approved for VA benefits for courses fully offered in person.

After meeting all graduation requirements, a graduate can apply to the New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services, for a temporary license, which permits immediate employment in the appearance enhancement industry; a permanent license is issued on passing both the written and practical State Board Examinations. Many area employers look to the school to fill entry-level positions, and short-term work at fashion shows, photo shoots and commercials helps graduates network.

The school has relationships with spas, salons and members of the medical and fashion industries, hosts career fairs and offers employment assistance at any time, even years after graduation; placement is not guaranteed. Outcome rates reported to the accreditor for the Hempstead campus were 82.83% completion, 76.32% placement and 100% licensure in 2024, and for the Hauppauge campus 86.14% completion, 88.12% placement and 100% licensure.

Learning methods include discussion, demonstration, cooperative learning, problem solving, interactive lecture, individualized instruction, presentations and salon floor activities. During clinic time students work on members of the public or other students in the supervised student salon. Students must maintain a 75% written grade average and pass all written and practical exams, with attendance of at least 67% of scheduled hours; students absent 14 consecutive calendar days are terminated.

Students must have their kit, books, full uniform and tools each day, with closed shoes and hair worn up during clinic; esthetics students keep nails short and unpolished. Cell phones and recording devices are not allowed unless approved. Beyond technical training, the school encourages creativity, business, communication and customer service skills.