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Cosmetology School

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Elevate Your Cosmetology Education

No matter where you are in life, cosmetology school could be the right fit for you. If you’re searching for a new career that allows you to lift others up and showcase your creativity with stunning looks, get an education in cosmetology.

Now is a great time to start! Our cosmetology curriculum is designed to help you stay safe and get the education you need to pursue a career as a licensed cosmetologist, with a combination of digital learning and in-class lessons and salon experience.

See for yourself what it means to get an education at Douglas J Aveda Institute by reaching out.

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Our Curriculum

Explore your potential in our 1,500-hour cosmetology program. You can learn techniques and skills in haircutting, styling, skincare, nail care and makeup artistry. It’s more than just classwork, you can perfect your practical and theoretical knowledge and learn professional business building skills to help set your future career in the beauty industry up for success.

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Locations

You can get the same education at each Douglas J Aveda Institute at the beauty school closest to you! We have locations in Michigan in Ann Arbor, East Lansing, Grand Rapids and Royal Oak, Knoxville, Tennessee and Chicago, Illinois. No matter which location you choose, you can still put the names of Douglas J and Aveda behind your future cosmetology license.

What You Can Learn

  • Sanitation practices
  • Business skills
  • Hair cutting
  • Hairstyling
  • Textured hair
  • Hair coloring
  • Relaxers
  • Permanent waves
  • Hair care and treatments
  • Hair removal
  • Eyebrow arching
  • Makeup
  • Skin analysis
  • Facials
  • Manicures and pedicures
  • And more!

Our curriculum is designed to support your personal progression and prepare you for your future career. You can learn how to apply your beauty education on actual guests in our student salon, while learning how to market yourself and build your professional portfolio.

aveda-institute-testimonial-cosmetology“I was really nervous when I started at Douglas J because I left three years of university to try something new. I was definitely really nervous that I didn’t make the right choice… but once I started it quickly became really natural and easy. You really do find your family here…”
-Gretchen H.

As a student you will participate in our five phases, starting with the intro phase and going through each phase, in a way that fits your learning style.

Start building your confidence in the classroom. Learn the theory behind the products you use, how they react with each guest’s hair and skin. You also start learning the basics including design structure, shape, cutting techniques and color applications along with safety and sanitation practices.
Once you have a foundation of the basics, you start applying what you’ve learned by working directly with guests, while still taking classes. You will expand into hairstyling, skincare, manicures and pedicures and business skills for running a salon.
Start preparing to sit for the state exam as part of this phase. Your classroom day will focus you on what you will be testing on to gain your licensure. Plus, you’ll be taking guests the other four days per week, providing actual experience you can use after graduation.
Prepare to become a beauty professional by providing services to guests four times a week. In this phase, you’ll also be focusing your education on building your professional portfolio and using social media to showcase your best work and get more clients.
A huge part of becoming a beauty professional is knowing how to provide stellar customer service. Learn how to be a successful licensed cosmetologist by treating guests with a variety of services based on a consultation with them. Also, recommend the right Aveda products to give each guest the tools they need to recreate their look at home.

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The Douglas J Aveda Institute Difference

Day and Evening Classes Available

At Douglas J Aveda Institute, it’s possible to balance beauty school and life. At each of our locations, you can choose from day or evening class schedules. And, with classes starting at various times throughout the year, you can start doing what you love when you’re ready!

Part-Time Cosmetology Education

We understand that each student has a different need for life balance to achieve their career goals. While our day class schedule offers the quickest, full-time path to graduation, our evening class schedule offers flexibility for students looking for a more “part-time” education experience. Evening classes require on average about 6 months longer to complete the program– however, this “part-time” schedule allows many of our students to work or raise their families during the day while attending classes at night. Our admissions team can guide you into the right class and timing to meet your needs.

Financial Aid Available

As an accredited beauty school program, you can get the support you need to pay for beauty school. No matter what your situation is, you don’t have to let the cost hold you back. Talk to our team to learn more about applying for scholarships and financial aid, available to those who qualify.

Learn the Way That Suits You

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At Douglas J Aveda Institute, you don’t spend all the time in the classroom. After all, beauty is a hands-on experience, and the education should match it! Something unique to our schools is our approach to your specific learning style. Whether you learn by knowing the why, what, or what if, our curriculum is delivered in methods so you absorb what you are learning.

Our digital education lets you take control of your education at your own time. You can use your online portal for:

  • Videos
  • State board prep material
  • Portfolio tips
  • And more!

Career Assistance

Our goal is to help you find a career you can love. While we can’t guarantee employment after graduation, you can get the support you need. Because we are an Aveda institute, you will be part of our network of professional salons and spas throughout the world.

You will have access to many tools including “how to” videos, a ring light, and professional backdrops so you can start building a professional portfolio on social media. All part of your cosmetology education to help you be successful with your own personal beauty brand.

After getting an education at cosmetology school, you could pursue a variety of potential careers:

  • Hair Stylist
  • Hair Colorist
  • Salon Owner
  • Platform Artist
  • Celebrity Stylist
  • Cosmetology Editor
  • Salon Trainer
  • Educator (with completion of the Educator course)
  • Manicurist and Pedicurist
  • Distributor Sales Consultant
  • Cosmetic Buyer
  • Cosmetology Writer
  • Aveda Global Educator
  • State Board Member
  • Researcher
  • State Licensing Inspector or Examiner
aveda-institute-testimonial2-cosmetology“I chose to attend Douglas J because my sister actually attended here 10 years ago and she’s a successful salon owner now. I grew up watching her for the last 10 years and realized that this is something that makes me really happy.”
-Hudson D.

Give Back To Your Community

As an Aveda school, Douglas J is all about giving back. That means giving back to the communities around us and to our planet as a whole. Our institutes have great relationships with a variety of regional and national nonprofits. As a Douglas J student, you will get the chance to participate within the community and be part of something bigger.

Use Professional Aveda Products

The Aveda brand is famously sustainable, which means you’ll learn what it’s like to work with eco-friendly products from the get-go. Using eco-friendly products as a stylist is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and help make the earth a more beautiful place. In addition to taking care of the planet, we always want to do our part for the people close to home.

Learn How To Apply

We can’t wait to help you pursue your passion for beauty. If you want to see if Douglas J Aveda Institute is the right school for you, reach out! Fill out the form or call us at (877)311-8957 to get the application process started at Douglas J Aveda Institute! Once we get in touch, we’ll schedule a tour with you, so you can see yourself at our schools, get your questions answered about our programs and learn how to enroll.

Our team is ready to help you every step of the way!

Douglas J is a phenomenal school. I graduated back in September 2012 and since then have been living my dreams. They hold you accountable for your actions and instill leadership, and business principles in you that will set you apart from the rest. The Aveda name alone holds weight, but the addition of "Douglas J" makes my resume look even better.

- Kierra W.

Choosing to train with Douglas J is not just attending cosmetology school, it's the first step in building a career.

- VIRGINIA MEYER, FORMER VP OF EDUCATION, AVEDA CORPORATE CO-FOUNDERS OF REDCHOCOLATE ™

The Douglas J team offers a complete system of excellence and support for every student in every facet of education. From the quality of the educators, to the relationship with salon owners seeking talent, to the network of global artists affiliated with the company, everyone is completely committed to developing the student to their highest potential. We give Douglas J education system our highest endorsement.

- DAVID ADAMS, FORMER TECHNICAL ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, AVEDA CORPORATE

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