Cosmetology Courses for High School Students

For those of us with a passion for beauty, it often started at a young age. There’s no need to delay perfecting your beauty skills, high school is a great time to begin thinking about beauty school. Going from high school to cosmetology school can be intimidating and confusing, but we are here to help break it down for you so you can reach any goal!

Can I Enroll While Still in High School?

Most beauty schools require students to be at least 16 years old to enroll in their courses. This means it may be possible for a junior or senior in high school to begin their cosmetology training before graduation.

However, some beauty schools also require students to have a high school diploma or GED before enrolling. Take your time to look into the schools that offer classes for high schoolers and which programs are available. You may find the perfect fit!

Vocational High Schools

Some vocational high schools also offer cosmetology courses or partner with local technical schools for these courses. They allow you to study beauty topics while earning your high school diploma! These practical classes can give you an introduction to cosmetology and the chance to begin your cosmetology education before you have graduated from high school.

High school vocational and trade programs can teach you practical skills and give hands-on practice in the trade. These programs also sometimes allow you to complete internships in the field for extra experience. When these programs are focused on cosmetology, students can learn more about hair design, skincare, and nail treatments.

Students who complete these programs must still continue their education at a post-secondary beauty college and sit for the state exam. If you’re still exploring how to become a cosmetologist, you can learn how to become one in:

• Colorado
• Arizona
• Utah

Dual Enrollment or Concurrent Enrollment Programs

In dual enrollment programs, students usually enroll at a local beauty school for a few lecture-style courses during their junior or senior year of high school. This helps hit the ground running before officially enrolling in your choice of school. In Utah, it is possible to get hours as part of an internship program. Get in touch with your school to see what options are available.

Depending on the state’s hour requirements, there is a chance you could test for certification not long after high school graduation. Make sure to do your research on which schools around you offer dual enrollment programs.

A good example of programs like this is our concurrent enrollment program at our Layton location. Learn how you could start your beauty school education while still in high school!

Relevant High School Courses

If there aren’t concurrent enrollment or vocational schools in your area, you can still start preparing for your future in beauty now! While they don’t count as credit hours while in cosmetology school, these classes can also help you decide if a creative career is right for you. After all, you should always love what you do!

Art Classes

Applying makeup and nail polish can be similar to traditional art. If you have a passion for art and creativity, an art class might be the right choice to see if you’re someone who is creative and loves working with their hands. See if your high school offers fine art classes that allow you to paint and draw, and practice what you’re learning with some creative makeup looks or hairstyles.

Business and Marketing Classes

Beauty professionals often have to be business professionals, too. Business classes can help you later:

• Market yourself to build your own client-base
• Track business expenses
• Manage your own business as a salon owner or manager

If you’re interested in seeing what other courses you should consider taking in high school to prepare for a future in beauty, check out our top list of high school classes to take before beauty school in our blog.

Get More Information

If you are interested in getting started on your cosmetology education, Avalon Institute can help. Schedule your tour so we can provide information on cosmetology courses for high school students, state requirements for certification, and how to enroll in beauty school.

If you’re ready to get started with concurrent cosmetology school and high school, our Layton location offers concurrent enrollment classes for high school students. Our other locations also work with high school students. Contact the Avalon location near you to learn more.

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