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, eyelash extensions, 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.
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.
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. You can see more details about what you will learn in each phase in the sidebar above. 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 master 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 Bella Lash eyelash extensions.
Applying eyelash extensions isn’t something you can learn after watching a few YouTube videos. In the state of Florida, you must have a cosmetology, skin care, or full specialist license to offer the service.
AIB offers an eyelash extension certification through Bella Lash, a worldwide lash provider committed to using the highest-quality medical grade products. Our school partners with Bella Lash to offer our students the opportunity to learn from an industry leader and set themselves up for success. A Bella Lash certification can set you apart as a lash technician with professional training!
**Additional fees will apply if certification is elected.
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.
Awarded “Gold” in the Best Cosmetology School
Awarded “Silver” in the Best Trade/Tech School
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!
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!
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 both Largo and St. Petersburg are 1,200 clock hours. All the time you need to learn the practical and theoretical skills that can make beauty your business!
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.
Our St. Petersburg campus offers cosmetology programs in both full and part-time day and evening schedules. We know that our students have other obligations in their life, like family and their current jobs. That’s why we offer schedules that work with you!
Our Largo campus offers cosmetology programs in both full and part-time day and evening schedules. If you have day-time obligations and want to work after traditional work hours, our evening program might be the perfect match for your ambition!
Both AIB campus locations offer the Cosmetology course in Largo and St. Pete.
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!
Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Both campus locations in Largo and St. Petersburg 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 cosmetology program. 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
See what students and graduates have to say about their experiences in our Cosmetology program!
We like to go above and beyond in providing for our students. That’s why we offer a few extras at AIB!
Twice a year, AIB hosts industry-leading employers in our communities from all aspects of the beauty industry to come in and connect with our students on career days. You can meet potential employers, do mock interviews, and you might even land a job before you graduate!
We offer lifetime career placement assistance. You can come back any time after you graduate and we’ll help you find opportunities. We can also help you mock interview and fine-tune your resume.
We bring in guest speakers, such as Redken representatives, to talk about expectations, desired skills, and their experience in the beauty industry. We also bring in industry leaders to demonstrate what is trending and is hot in the beauty industry. You can have the chance to meet and interact with beauty industry professionals!
Ready to get started on a career you love? Contact us to learn more about enrolling in one of our year-round programs! Your future can’t wait.
Change your life. Change the lives of others. Barbering is a career for someone with ambition, talent, and the drive to make a difference. Check out our program at our St. Petersburg campus.
Learn MoreAre you passionate about skin care? Take your interest to the next level in our program! You can learn advance medical esthetics at our Largo campus.
Learn MoreAppreciate and create the finer things in life, like nail art! Show off your personal sense of style and help others capture their inner creativity.
Learn MoreWant to learn more than just one skill? Our Full Specialist program can teach you nails+skin. This program is offered at both of our beautiful campuses. Learn more today!
Learn MoreHelp others embrace their natural beauty by learning esthetics! Facials, waxing, makeup, and more!
Learn MoreHave you always been interested in helping people reach their health and wellness goals? Our Massage Therapy program can prepare you to become a licensed Massage Therapist; giving you the potential to provide your clients with customizable therapeutic relaxation and stress reduction!
Learn MoreBecome the one-stop shop for health, wellness, and skincare! In our Spa Therapy program, you can learn both Massage Therapy+Esthetics. Double the skills can benefit you in the competitive beauty industry! Get started on your new career at our Largo campus.
Learn MoreLearn More About Financial AidFund My Passion
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