What Will I Actually Do in Beauty School?
Will I Work With Real Guests?
Yes! As you progress through your education, you’ll have many opportunities to work with real guests in a supervised salon setting. You’ll put your classroom training into practice, build confidence in your techniques and develop important skills like guest consultations, communication and delivering a professional service.
What Professional Beauty Brands Will I Learn With?
Beauty school is an opportunity to get familiar with professional products used in the industry.
Depending on your program, Douglas J students may gain experience with brands including:
Davines • Color Space • Back of Bottle (BOB) • PCA SKIN • Eminence Organic Skin Care
How Long Is Beauty School?
Program length depends on the program, campus and schedule you choose. Douglas J offers structured learning phases that build toward hands-on experience with real guests.
Cosmetology
1,500 Hours
Cosmetology students progress through four phases: Intro, Alpha, Beta and Salon Life, where students gain experience working with guests.
- Full-time: 10 weeks per phase.
- Part-time: 14 weeks per phase.
Program schedules and availability vary by campus.
Esthiology
750 Hours
Esthiology students progress through two phases: Intro and Gamma.
- Full-time: 11 weeks per phase.
- Part-time: 15 weeks per phase.
Barbering
1,500 Hours
Barbering students progress through Foundation, Phase A, Phase B and Phase C, followed by Salon Life, where they complete their remaining hours working with guests.
- Foundation: 10 weeks
- Phase A, B and C: 14 weeks each
- Salon Life: Remaining hours working with guests
Can I Go to Beauty School at Night?
Yes. Evening programs are available for select programs and campuses, giving students another option for balancing school with work, family and everyday life.
For many adult learners, going back to school means fitting a new career goal into a life that’s already busy. Flexible scheduling can make that next step feel a little more possible.
Where Can Beauty School Take You?
A beauty education can lead to more than working behind the chair. Career possibilities throughout the beauty industry can include:
Salon + Spa
Hair stylist • Hair colorist • Esthetician
Creative + Entertainment
Platform artist • Fashion • Film • Television • Photoshoots • Industry shows
Beauty Education
Educator • Advanced educator • Admissions • Campus leadership
Beauty Brands + Business
Marketing • Product testing • Education • Sales
What Do Beauty School Students Wear?
Douglas J students maintain a professional image while at school. Current dress expectations include:
Black top or Douglas J-issued shirt • Black pants or professional jeans • Black shoes or boots • Name tag
Will I Learn Business Skills?
Yes. A career in beauty takes more than technical skills.
Douglas J education also introduces students to professional and business concepts such as customer service, retail, career development and business practices that can help prepare them for life in the beauty industry.
What Support Will I Have?
Beauty school is a commitment, and life doesn’t stop while you’re in school.
Douglas J students have access to resources that may include counseling, coaching, well-being resources, legal and financial counseling, crisis support and other school/life resources.
Learn From Beauty Industry Pros
Your Douglas J educators aren’t the only professionals you may learn from. Douglas J also welcomes guest artists and educators into the classroom, giving students opportunities to explore new techniques, learn from industry experience and connect with professionals working in beauty.
Jay Mahmood Visits Douglas J Royal Oak
Students at our Royal Oak Institute recently had the opportunity to learn from Jay Mahmood, a precision cutting educator with more than two decades of experience educating stylists around the world.
More Industry Artists and Educators
Douglas J has also featured educational sessions with industry artists including:
Lupe Voss
Guest artist and industry educator.
Instagram: @lupevoss
Cole Thompson
Guest artist and industry educator.
Instagram: @_cole_thompson
Taylor Smits
Guest artist and industry educator.
Instagram: @smitties
Beauty School Goes Beyond the Classroom
Douglas J students may also have opportunities to participate in industry events and competitions, including Fashion Week, Student Artist Appreciation, the Full Potential Student Competition and the Professional Beauty Association’s Beacon Student Program.
Beacon is a national program that recognizes emerging beauty industry talent. Students are selected through an application process reviewed by industry judges and gain access to professional education, networking and opportunities to connect with beauty industry leaders.
And Douglas J students are making their mark. Seven Douglas J students were selected for the Beacon Class during 2024–2025.
Prepared for the Professional Beauty Industry
Our relationships with salons, spas and beauty industry professionals help us understand what employers are looking for in new talent. Hear directly from industry professionals about their experience hiring and working with Douglas J graduates.
– Marielle, Owner of Coiffeteria Salon
“I absolutely love hiring graduates from Douglas J Institute. They are so well trained, so well versed. They learn not only about hair, but how to really take care of the guests and to see their needs. Plus, they actually, use the same products as we do, so that helps makes our transition seamless. They’re very professional…just AWESOME!”
See For Yourself What Beauty School is Like
You’ve read about it. Now come experience it.
Tour a Douglas J Institute, see the learning environment and get your questions answered by our team.