Cosmetology Program

The Cosmetology Program is a 1,500-clock-hour course designed to prepare students for entry-level employment in the beauty industry. Students receive comprehensive instruction in the art and science of hair, skin and nail care, combining classroom theory with hands-on practical training. The programme provides theory and skill building in professional image, communication, cosmetology sciences in all areas of hair, skin and nail services, and business and marketing techniques, and students learn and practise all rules of safety and sanitation according to state law.

The programme is divided among three phases — New Talent, Designer I and Designer II — with full-time and part-time classes available. Z Hair Academy strives to ensure graduates are prepared to pass the state board exam for their license and immediately start a successful career. The Cosmetology and Instructor programmes fulfil the educational requirements for licensure and employment in all fields of cosmetology in Kansas and Missouri.

Since its inception in 2004, Z Hair Academy has been dedicated to creating unique learning experiences and ensuring student success. It is an award-winning, family-owned and operated institution: rather than one large hair school, it runs smaller hair schools that allow for intimate class sizes and more one-on-one attention.

• Leadership. Founders Ron and Judi McKenzie and the licensed educators have many years of cosmetology training and industry experience as salon owners, manufacturer educators, product distributors and hair stylists; Ron has traveled nationally and internationally as a platform artist.
• Guest artists. Students work with top artists in the industry, who have included Sam Villa, Joico artists, L’Oréal Professionnel educators and American Crew Men’s Cutting.
• Hair and fashion shows. An annual Student Showcase, Kansas City Fashion Week twice a year, and industry hair shows in cities like St. Louis and Chicago.
• Additional certifications (additional charge): Sunlight Balayage, ProLash lash extensions, and Clutch Hair Culture sew-in hair extensions.
• Midwest Hairstyling Awards. An annual student-led collection, with students eligible for nomination as “Future Hair Stylist of the Year”.

Since 2004, Z Hair Academy has provided over $436,000 in student scholarships.

To be considered for admission, each applicant must be at least 17 years of age and provide:

• High school completion or its equivalent — a diploma, GED certificate, high school transcript, or state-issued credential for secondary school completion if home schooled, or an associate or bachelor’s degree in the United States. A foreign high school diploma must be translated into English by a qualified outside agency that confirms its equivalence to a U.S. high school diploma.
• A copy of a current government-issued photo ID or driver’s license, or eligibility to be in the U.S. such as an alien registration number or work permit.
• A current Social Security card.
• Missouri only: a passport or birth certificate and a $35 state fee (credit or debit card only).

All applicants must complete a pre-enrollment interview. Each applicant is asked a standardized set of questions and evaluated using an established scoring rubric, and a minimum qualifying score is required for acceptance. Admissions are selective and not guaranteed. Z Hair Academy does not admit high school students or Ability to Benefit students, and students who have withdrawn or been terminated from a programme are not considered for re-entry.

Transfer students must meet the same requirements and have hours verifiable by the State Board of Cosmetology; the number of transfer hours accepted is at the school’s discretion, and transfer students complete the New Talent training before performing studio services.

Programme length. The standard length is 47 weeks for full-time students and 64 weeks for part-time students; actual completion time may vary based on attendance, academic progress and individual circumstances.

Attendance schedule. Classroom: full time Tuesday – Friday, 9am – 5pm (28 hours a week); part time Tuesday – Friday, 9am – 3pm (20 hours a week). Studio: full time Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 9am – 5pm and Thursday 9am – 6pm (36 hours a week); part time Tuesday – Friday 9am – 3pm and Saturday 9am – 5pm (27 hours a week). The schedule includes a one-hour lunch and fifteen-minute breaks; hours may vary by location.

Upcoming start dates (subject to change without notice): Lawrence and Lee’s Summit — November 10, 2026; January 5, March 9, April 27, June 15, August 3, September 21 and November 9, 2027. Overland Park and Kansas City — November 17, 2026; January 12, March 16, May 4, June 22, August 10, September 28 and November 16, 2027. Warrensburg — December 1, 2026; January 26, March 30, May 18, July 6, August 24, October 12 and November 30, 2027.

Holidays: Thanksgiving Day and the Friday and Saturday after; the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend; December 24 – 26; January 1; the 4th of July; and other days as announced. Students have an 80-hour absence grace period; training beyond the contract period is billed at $15 per hour.

Programme fees (every campus): registration fee $150; tuition $18,750; books and equipment $3,295 plus tax; apprentice license $15 (Kansas campuses only). Total programme cost before taxes is $22,210 in Lawrence and Overland Park and $22,195 in Lee’s Summit, Kansas City and Warrensburg. State licensing and exam fees are not covered by tuition. Fees are subject to change.

Payment options: pay in full, pay in monthly installments, or financial aid. With installments, one-fourth of the tuition, one-fourth of the book and kit fees, taxes and any apprentice license fee are due on or before the first day of class, and the balance is paid monthly. Credit card payments carry a 3% fee.

Federal aid. Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Complete the FAFSA using school code 041329; aid may include the Federal Pell Grant and Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized and Direct Parent PLUS loans. The full-time and part-time Cosmetology programme is approved for veterans’ benefits by the Kansas and Missouri State Approving Agencies. Each student can meet one-on-one with a financial aid representative.

Clinton E. McKenzie Memorial Scholarship. Each enrolled student can qualify for up to $1,000 toward tuition, in two $500 parts, by meeting attendance (95%), GPA (90%) and other requirements such as letters of recommendation, salon shadowing and a portfolio project. Outside scholarships may also be accepted for tuition reduction.

A cosmetology license provides employment opportunities in various fields, including hairstylist, color specialist, texture specialist, nail technician, esthetician, make-up artist, wig or extension specialist, educator, platform artist, salon manager or salon owner. Compensation varies based on position, location and hours worked (SOC code 39-5012). The programme meets licensure requirements and qualifies students to sit for the licensure exam in Kansas and Missouri.

Job search support. Job placement is not guaranteed, but Z Hair Academy provides reasonable assistance, including a Job Opportunities Board, employer visits and career guidance. The annual Career Fair includes 30–40 salons, and the school maintains a network of local Support Salons to place graduates. Students receive instruction in résumé preparation, interviewing, salon operations and business principles.

Outcomes. In the school’s 2024 NACCAS annual report, the collective graduation rate was 84.74%, the placement rate 96.77% and the licensure rate 98.45%.

Student salons. Students practise techniques in class and on real clients from the community in one of the student salons, building both technique and the ability to communicate with clients.

Your kit. As part of tuition, students receive a kit of Sam Villa professional styling tools — blow dryer, straightening iron, 2-in-1 Marcel iron and wand, shears, thermal styling brush and comb set — plus a clipper combo, color supplies, capes, a balayage kit, five mannequin heads and a tripod stand.

Facilities. Each campus has a reception and retail area, a studio floor with styling stations, a manicure area, skin care rooms with facial and waxing equipment, a shampoo area, a dispensary, classrooms, and a student lounge and study area with lockers.

Grading and graduation. Exams count for 50% and practical work and professionalism for 50%; weekly exams are given, and a 75% average is required to advance to the Designer course. To graduate you must complete the state-required clock hours with a minimum 75% grade average and pay all obligations; graduates receive a Certificate of Completion and paperwork is forwarded to the licensing agency.