Cosmetology Operator

The Cosmetology Operator curriculum involves 1000 hours to satisfy Texas state requirements. The course includes extensive instruction and practical experience in cutting, hair coloring, perming, customer service, personal appearance and hygiene, personal motivation and development, retail skills, client record keeping, business ethics, sanitation, state laws and regulations, salon-type administration, and job interviewing. Students are prepared to be an entry level cosmetologist.

How the course is taught. The course is divided into pre-clinical classroom instruction, where students learn design principles, technical information, safety and sanitation, and professional practices, and clinical service learning experiences, where practical experience is gained through supervised services. It is divided into six educational designations: Core Curriculum, the Protégé Learning Experience, the Clinic Classroom Learning Experience, Classroom Learning Experiences in cutting, coloring, texture, makeup, skin, and nails, the Adaptive Curriculum and the Creative Curriculum.

Testing. Students must receive a grade of 70% or higher on each assigned theory exam, on each Core written and practical skill exam, and on all final exams, and must complete all assigned practical clinic classroom worksheets.

We educate and train our students (or as we call them, Future Professionals) to begin their careers in the beauty industry as licensed cosmetologists. Future Professionals are guided by our Learning Leaders through the cosmetology program’s three levels—Core, Adaptive, and Creative—taking on more advanced techniques and building real-world skills and confidence as they move through each stage. Our cosmetology program curriculum includes Paul Mitchell Advanced Education’s proprietary Cutting System, Color System, Texture System, Short Hair System, and Makeup System.

Level 1: Core. Begin your journey in the safety and comfort of a classroom, working exclusively with simulated products and mannequins, with close, attentive coaching from Learning Leaders: braiding, up-styling and finishing, perming and smoothing, hair coloring and lightening, precision haircutting, manicure, pedicure, makeup and facials.

Level 2: Adaptive. Incorporate real chemical products and live models for the first time, practicing on real people in a salon-like environment under close supervision.

Level 3: Creative. Take on more independent work, perfecting speed, timing and frequency of services, preparing a career portfolio and preparing for the state board exam.

Phase Two. An optional course of intensive study for Future Professionals who want to be challenged to their highest level of performance: a progressive clinic classroom, accelerated guest booking and double-booking, team-based guest service systems and special Phase Two guest artists.

Student kit. Future Professionals unwrap their very own professional kit, packed with hot styling tools, mannequin heads, combs and brushes, scissors and clips, and much more.

The campus. Paul Mitchell The School Dallas is located in Carrollton, Texas, a mere 20-minute drive from the heart of Dallas and surrounded by the cities of Addison, Plano, Frisco, Richardson, Lewisville, Coppell, Anna, and McKinney. Conveniently located off I-635 and Dallas North Tollway, its 29,000-square-foot facility has provided industry-leading programs since its establishment in 1997.

Mission. Our school’s mission is to provide a quality educational system to prepare students to pass the state board examination and gain entry level employment within their chosen field of study. We strongly believe that when people come first, success will follow.

To qualify for admission to Paul Mitchell The School Dallas, a prospective student must demonstrate that they are academically prepared to be successful. A prospective student must be able to provide verifiable documentation to support that they have a high school diploma, recognized equivalency and/or those who are beyond the age of compulsory school attendance in the State where the institution is located prior to being accepted.

High school education and equivalents. Prospective students must have a high school diploma (this can be from a foreign school if it is equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma); a recognized equivalent of a high school diploma, such as a general educational development (GED) certificate or other state sanctioned test or diploma-equivalency certificate like HiSet; have completed homeschooling at the secondary level as defined by state law; or have successfully completed at least 60 semester or trimester credit hours or 72 quarter credit hours that is acceptable for full credit toward a bachelor’s degree. The school does not accept ability to benefit (ATB) students.

Admission procedure. Complete and submit the application for admission, which may be obtained from an admissions advisor; pay the $100 registration fee; complete an interview with an admissions advisor; provide proof of identity; and provide high school or equivalent verification documents. Applicants who received their high school diploma in another country are required to submit their high school transcripts to a foreign credentialing evaluation service (any agency under NACES), with an English translation by a certified translator.

Decision. Once an applicant has completed the process to apply to the school, the admissions team and director reviews each applicant and their required application materials to determine if the applicant will be admitted. The applicant will be notified of the decision in writing. The school accepts re-entry students if they qualify. Incarcerated students are not eligible for admissions, because all classes and practical studies are done at the school’s physical location.

Core. Every program begins with a Core schedule at the Dallas campus:

• 5-Day Core: Monday-Friday 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM, 32.5 hours per week
• 3-Day Core: Monday-Wednesday 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM, 24 hours per week
• 4-Day Night Core: Monday-Thursday 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM, 18 hours per week

After Core: flex schedule. Students complete six (6) weeks in the Day Core schedule or eight (8) weeks in the Night Core schedule, then transition to a flex schedule. After completing Core, students may complete their scheduled weekly hours Monday-Thursday 9:30 AM - 10:00 PM and Friday-Saturday 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM, on an 18, 22.5, 26 or 32.5-hour flex schedule. Students may not exceed their scheduled weekly hours or ten (10) hours in one day.

Theory, testing and specialty instruction. Theory, Testing, and Specialty instruction are offered Tuesday 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM, Wednesday 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM and Tuesday night 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM; students are strongly encouraged to attend.

Length in weeks. Length depends on the Core schedule and the weekly flex hours chosen:

• 5-Day Core: 31 weeks at 32.5 flex hours, 37 at 26, 42 at 22.5 and 51 at 18
• 3-Day Core: 33, 39, 45 and 54 weeks
• Night Core: 35, 41, 47 and 56 weeks
• Maximum time frame: 143% of the program length

Start dates. Upcoming Dallas starts: November 16, 2026 (3-day and night Core); 2027 day starts January 19, February 1, March 1, April 5, April 13, May 24, June 7, July 5, August 2, August 16, September 20, September 27, November 9 and November 15; night starts January 25, April 5, June 7, August 2, September 27 and November 22.

Hours of operation. Monday - Thursday 9:30 AM to 10:00 PM; Friday 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM; Saturday 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM; closed Sunday. Paul Mitchell The School Dallas reserves the right to cancel a class prior to the first scheduled day of instruction, with a full refund of tuition and fees collected.