Cosmetology Program
Explore the world of hairstyling, skin care, and nail artistry with campus locations in
Largo, St. Petersburg, and Bradenton, Florida
Love your career in cosmetology!
Cosmetology can be a fun and amazing career! At American Institute of Beauty (AIB), we strive to teach students what they need to know; not only to sit for the state board exam, but to build a future they’re proud of. Explore the world of hair cutting, hair coloring, hair styling, skin care, makeup application, hair removal and even nail enhancement techniques!
If you’ve longed for a career that allows you to be creative, interact with others, and be in charge of your life and work schedule, this career might be perfect for you!
“For me, the choice was easy. It was the vibe and atmosphere. The staff were very helpful, instructors were engaging and motivating.” – Moses H.
What Can I Learn in AIB’s Cosmetology Program?
At AIB, you’ll learn more than just hair. We know that to prepare for a career you LOVE and are successful at, you’ll need training that exposes you to a variety of skills in many areas. As a Redken school, you can take pride in knowing that you are being trained with industry-leading product lines and education.
The Education
Our goal is to help you prepare to sit for the state board exam. Passing this exam means you are a licensed cosmetologist in the state of Florida. To do this, we break up your educational experience into three phases that each build on each other. In the section below you can see more details about what you will learn in each phase. The first phase teaches you the foundational principles and theory behind hair care and other salon services to prepare you for more advanced techniques. Once you transition into Phase 2 of our Cosmetology program, you’ll dive deeper into the techniques you learned in Phase 1 with guidance from your educators. This will give you the opportunity to practice your skills in our school salon while completing services on actual guests! Phase 3 of our Cosmetology program covers everything you need to know to take the State Board exam to become licensed along with job placement preparation. In addition to the extensive education we provide in our Cosmetology program, you will also have the opportunity to become certified in Milady eyelash extensions.
Phase 1
- Redken Hair cutting
- Hair design
- Hairstyling
- Redken Hair coloring (highlights, lowlights, etc.)
- Chemical services (perms, relaxers, etc.)
- Redken product knowledge
- Hair removal (Waxing)
- Facials
- Diseases & disorders of the hair/scalp/skin
- Sanitation/Disinfection
Phase 2
- Advanced Hair cutting
- Advanced Hair design
- Advanced Hair styling (updos, wedding styling, etc.)
- Advanced Hair coloring (color correction, ombre, balayage, etc.)
- Advanced Chemical services
- Facial makeup
- Manicuring & pedicuring
- Nail enhancements
- Hair removal (waxing)
Phase 3
- State Board Exam preparation
- Business training
- Interview tips
- Professionalism
- Resume creation
- Marketing & Social Media
Why Choose AIB?
Beauty school is a big step in starting your journey to becoming a licensed professional. Picking the right school can help you set your future career up for success and ignite your passion even more!
See how we can help you pursue what you love, learn the skills necessary, and live your future career as a licensed beauty professional. Reaching your full potential is right around the corner- we want you to Love it, Learn it, and Live it!
We’re all about diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility. AIB is more than just a beauty school; we offer a real and authentic educational experience.
Tech-Forward Beauty Education
At AIB, we know that in today’s day and age, part of becoming successful in the beauty industry is understanding and using technology. That’s why we use the Milady CIMA digital learning platform. This platform enhances the in-person classroom experience, offering additional tools and educational content on top of the training you receive from our knowledgeable, licensed educators. Each of our programs includes 24/7 access to the comprehensive, mobile-friendly, easy-to-use, digital platform.
Our Milady CIMA program offers a visual and collaborative experience that promotes the use of technology, efficiency, and the delivery of educational content that supports various learning styles.
What Does a Future in Cosmetology Look Like?
Wondering what careers are waiting for licensed cosmetologists? The world of beauty is vast! There are so many opportunities available! Here are a few potential careers you could pursue after licensure!
Potential Careers
- Salon or spa owner
- High-end salon stylist
- Platform artist (such as Redken)
- Hair Colorist
- Freelance makeup artist
- Hair and makeup for theatre
- Salon stylist
- Cruise ship stylist
- Eyelash extension specialist
- Makeup artist
- Educator
- Social Media Influencer
- Hair Care Product Creator/Manufacturer
- Hair Care Brand Ambassador
Start The Enrollment Process
Have you decided American Institute of Beauty may be the right school for you? Contact our admissions team by giving us a call or filling out the form. From there, we’ll reach out to you to schedule your personal tour, so you can get an inside look of our school and start the application process. We can’t wait to meet you and help you get started on your future in beauty!
Cosmetology School FAQs
When you’re looking to enroll in a cosmetology program, there are a few questions you’ll want answered right away. We’re here to address the most commonly asked questions about starting beauty school so you can get the info you need to make a decision that changes your life. You want to do this, and we want to help!
Our cosmetology programs in Largo, St. Petersburg, and Bradenton are 1,200 clock hours.
You can complete our cosmetology programs at either campus in as little as nine months!* You could be on your way to a brand new career in less than a year. *Based on a full-time schedule.
For questions on transferring to American Institute of Beauty from your current beauty school institution, please contact our Admissions team!
Largo Campus: 727-532-2125 | St. Pete Campus: 727-826-0969
Class start dates vary by program. Due to the popularity of our programs, early enrollment is suggested to ensure seat availability!
Our St. Petersburg, and Largo campuses offer cosmetology programs with flexible scheduling options, including full-time day, part-time day, and part-time evening schedules. We understand that our students have other obligations, like family and current jobs, which is why we strive to provide schedules that work with your life! If you have daytime commitments and prefer to study after traditional work hours, our evening program might be the perfect fit for your ambitions.
At our Bradenton campus, we currently offer cosmetology programs with full-time day and part-time day schedules. We’re always evaluating student needs, and we’re excited to help you find a program that fits your educational journey.
What Are My Options for Funding My Education?
Financial aid is available to those who qualify. All campus locations in Largo, St. Petersburg, and Bradenton offer financial aid. Your future is worth funding. Don’t be afraid to learn more about what options are available for investing in a career you love.
American Institute of Beauty is approved for veterans’ training by the Veterans Administration. We accept many different types of VA benefits, including your POST-9/11 GI Bill®, at our campuses. You’ve dedicated your life to making the lives of others better, and you can continue that lifestyle with a career in beauty! Contact us to learn more about using veterans benefits at AIB.
Dependents and spouses of veterans may also be eligible. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Florida Prepaid is a great way to fund your education, and it’s not limited to traditional colleges. If your parents have put money away for you to invest in yourself, you can use it to help fund your beauty education at AIB! www.myfloridaprepaid.com/
External Scholarships
AIB provides access to many different external scholarships to students who have enrolled in our programs. Each external scholarship has its own requirements and availability throughout the year. The criteria for each external scholarship is unique. For more information visit: Beauty Changes Lives | Scholarships
“What made me choose American Institute of Beauty was how helpful the staff was. They helped me each step of the process to enroll and made it really easy compared to other schools. I felt supported and I needed that.”
“My experience has been positive so far. I was nervous about going back to school at an older age but Mr. Chris makes everyone feel welcome. He’s created an environment where I feel comfortable asking questions and for help when I need it”
“I chose AIB because it felt like home. I was greeted by very friendly staff. I know this sounds weird, but the smells that hit me when I walked into the school just took me back to being in salons when I was a kid. It just gave me a very comfortable feeling. It was a very unique experience, and I couldn’t go anywhere else.”
The Extras at AIB
We like to go above and beyond in providing for our students. That’s why we offer a few extras at AIB!
