How Long Does Cosmetology School Take in Illinois

For individuals with a passion for beauty and wellness, cosmetology school in Illinois may be an excellent fit as it will prepare you for a career helping others achieve their beauty goals. Of course, as with any form of higher education, cosmetology school requires a significant time commitment. Before you start researching or applying to beauty schools in your area, it is then important that you know how long of a commitment you would be signing up for, as this can help you make an informed decision about whether cosmetology school will be a good fit for you. 

So how long does cosmetology school take in Illinois? Keep reading to learn more about how long cosmetology school takes and the factors that can affect the length of your cosmetology program.

What is Cosmetology School?

Of course, if you have just started looking into cosmetology as a career path, you may find yourself wondering what cosmetology school is and why it is necessary to work in the beauty industry. Cosmetology School is an educational institution that offers training in the application of beauty treatments including hair styling, makeup application, nail care, and skincare.

The curriculum involves a mixture of classroom instruction as well as hands-on training in a salon-like setting where students practice on mannequins and real clients under the supervision of licensed instructors. This training helps prepare students for a wide range of careers in the beauty industry from hair stylist to salon owner.

Regardless of whether you want to work in the beauty industry as a hairstylist, nail technician, barber, or esthetician, attending a cosmetology school is a necessary first step, as every state requires cosmetologists to complete cosmetology school and become licensed to legally work with clients. Cosmetology is a heavily regulated field, and you will need to enroll in an accredited school if you want to work in this field.   

Cosmetology Program at Hair Pros

If you are interested in a career in cosmetology in Illinois, consider enrolling in the cosmetology program at Hair Professionals Career College. We offer a comprehensive cosmetology training program that combines artistry, technical training, and hands-on experience that will help students thrive in the beauty industry. 

Our 1,500-hour cosmetology program not only teaches students technical skills, but it also helps them learn business basics such as building a client base and marketing skills that can help them establish themselves in the field upon graduating. 

In order to become a licensed cosmetologist in the state of Illinois, you must first:

• Be At Least 17 Years Old
• Have an 8th-Grade Education or Higher
• Complete 1,500 Hours of Theory and Practical Study at a Licensed School
• Pay a Licensing Fee
• And Pass The State Board Exam

If you are interested in starting cosmetology school, feel free to reach out to us to learn more about our program and the enrollment process. At Hair Pros, we provide flexible schedules that can help students from all walks of life gain the training that they need to succeed in the beauty industry.  

Understanding The Timeframe For Licensure in Illinois

Becoming a licensed cosmetologist in Illinois requires 1,500 hours of instructional and practical (hands-on) study. How long it will take you to complete these hours depends on several factors including whether you decide to attend school full-time or part-time. 

Illinois state law requires that cosmetology students complete their 1,500 hours of student over the course of at least eight months and no more than seven years. At Hair Pros, full-time students can complete our program in as little as nine months (roughly 40 weeks), though students often take a year or longer. If you go to cosmetology school part-time, then it will take twice as long to complete your courses, with part-time students taking around eighteen months to two years to graduate. 

Factors Affecting Program Duration

Of course, it is hard to say exactly how long it will take you to obtain your cosmetology license, as numerous factors can affect program duration. In addition to whether you attend full-time or part-time, another major factor influencing how long it may take you to complete your program will be your commitment to the program. Students who work hard, study, and attend classes regularly will complete their program quicker than those who are not as dedicated. 

Your schedule outside of class including personal and professional commitments may also affect your school schedule. However, our admissions team can work with you to help you determine the best schedule options for your needs, giving you a realistic timeline to licensure given your unique circumstances. 

Benefits of Completing Cosmetology School in Illinois

Going to cosmetology school can be an extremely rewarding experience that can help set you on a path toward professional success. If you are on the fence, here is a look at just a few of the benefits of completing cosmetology school in Illinois.  

Career Opportunities and Growth Potential

Once you are a licensed cosmetologist, you will have access to numerous career opportunities in the beauty industry. Whether you want to be a hairstylist on film sets, work in a spa on a cruise ship, or own your salon, your career options will only be limited by your imagination. Not only will you have your pick of career opportunities, but you likely won’t have to worry about job security, as employment for cosmetologists is supposed to grow significantly in the coming years.  

 Community Engagement and Networking

As part of your hours in cosmetology school, you will get to work hands-on in a salon-like setting with real clients while supervised by an instructor. This gives you a great opportunity to engage will the community and start to build a network of clients who enjoy your services and may be willing to follow you after graduation. You will also build friendships with your classmates who can be valuable business contacts down the road. 

Fulfillment of Creative Passions and Personal Goals

Cosmetology can be a fulfilling career path for artistic individuals by allowing them to explore their creative side. If you have always dreamed of having a job where you get to express your creative side, cosmetology can help you achieve this goal by allowing you to experiment with new hair and makeup styles. 

Tips for Success in Cosmetology School

Once you get into cosmetology school, you’ll likely be excited to hit the ground running. If you want to put your best foot forward and take advantage of all of the opportunities that cosmetology school provides, follow these four tips for success.  

Time Management and Organization

If you want to succeed in cosmetology school, you will first need to master the art of organization and time management. Maintaining an organized schedule will be particularly important in helping you balance the demands of cosmetology school with other personal and professional commitments in your life. Consider creating a schedule outlining everything you need to do each day, and make sure that you allocate plenty of time for studying and maintaining personal relationships.   

Active Participation and Engagement

Active participation and engagement, particularly in lectures, will be essential to your success in cosmetology school. The fact is that cosmetology coursework is challenging, and it can be easy to fall behind if you don’t give 100% of your attention to your instructors during class. It is critical that you stay engaged in class and actively participate in hands-on activities and discussions.   

Seek Mentorship and Guidance

While making friends can give you a support network to help you get through cosmetology school, these friends can also be a strong network that can open up doors for you in the industry. It is then essential that you not only make connections during cosmetology school, but you should also seek out a mentor who can provide guidance and support you through your journey as you work to establish yourself in the beauty industry.  

Continuous Learning and Professional Development

You should also seize all opportunities you are presented with for development and supplemental learning. Whether you’re given the opportunity to learn new techniques or attend guest lectures after class, the more you can immerse yourself in the beauty industry now, the more confident you will be in your skills after graduation.  

By dedicating yourself to learning as much as possible, you can give yourself the best chances of succeeding in cosmetology school as well as in your beauty career.

Ready To Get Started?

If you are interested in becoming a cosmetologist, feel free to reach out to our admissions team to learn more about the benefits of cosmetology school and how we can help you achieve your career goals.