January 3, 2018
What is Cosmetology School Like?
Cosmetology school combines classroom education with hands-on practice so students can learn beauty theory, develop technical skills, and prepare to sit for applicable state licensing exams. At Phagans School of Hair Design in Happy Valley, Oregon, what your day looks like depends on your program and how far you’ve progressed in your training. New students can spend more time learning fundamentals in the classroom, while more advanced students can practice their skills on the clinic floor under instructor supervision.
What is cosmetology school actually like?
Cosmetology school is a combination of learning beauty theory and putting that knowledge into practice. Rather than spending your entire education sitting in a traditional classroom, you can progress from learning foundational concepts to practicing technical and customer service skills.
Your experience will depend on the program you choose. Some beauty schools combine hair, nails, and skincare into one cosmetology program, while others offer separate programs that allow students to focus on particular areas of the beauty industry.
At Phagans, students can choose individual programs in Hair Design, Esthetics, Barbering, and Nail Technology, as well as dual-program options that combine multiple areas of study. Students looking for a broader cosmetology education can also explore Phagans’ Hair Design, Nail Technology, and Esthetics program.
You can explore Phagans’ beauty school programs to compare the different options.
How much time will you spend at cosmetology school?
How much time you spend in beauty school depends on the program you choose, your schedule, and the number of training hours required for that program. Different beauty disciplines have different training requirements, so there isn’t one timeline that applies to every Phagans student.
Phagans currently lists the following program hours:
- Hair Design: 1,150 hours
- Barbering: 786 hours
- Esthetics: 600 hours
- Nail Technology: 281 hours
Students interested in more than one area can also consider a dual program. For example, Phagans’ Hair Design, Nail Technology, and Esthetics program includes 1,835 hours of instruction in those three disciplines, along with safety and sanitation and career development.
The right option depends on what you want to learn. If hair is your primary interest, a Hair Design program may make sense. If you want a broader education that includes hair, skincare, and nails, you may want to explore a combined program.
What will you learn in cosmetology school?
What you learn in cosmetology school depends on the program you choose. Beauty education can include everything from haircutting and hair color to skincare, nail services, safety, sanitation, and customer service.
Because Phagans offers separate and combined areas of study, students can choose an education that more closely reflects their interests.
What do you learn in Hair Design?
Phagans’ 1,150-hour Hair Design program focuses on hair care and styling. Students begin by learning foundational skills and can practice on mannequins, models, and each other before progressing to the clinic floor.
Training includes four foundational units:
- Hair Cutting
- Hair Design
- Chemical Retexturizing
- Hair Color
Students progress through structured levels and must complete required hours, operations, and written and practical evaluations before advancing.
What do you learn in Esthetics?
Students who are more interested in skincare can explore Phagans’ 600-hour Esthetics program. The program focuses on skincare and related beauty services.
Esthetics students begin their education in a classroom environment where they can learn the fundamentals and practice on each other and models. After successfully completing the initial classroom portion, students can progress to the clinic floor and practice technical and customer service skills with actual clients under instructor supervision.
What do you learn in Barbering?
Phagans’ 786-hour Barbering program focuses on the skills associated with barbering and hair care. The program is designed to prepare students to sit for the applicable Oregon Health Licensing Office written exam.
Training can include subjects such as hair shaping, hair design, shampooing, styling, and recognizing scalp diseases and disorders.
What if you want to study multiple areas of beauty?
You don’t necessarily have to choose just one area. Phagans offers dual-program options for students interested in studying multiple beauty disciplines.
The Hair Design, Nail Technology, and Esthetics program includes 1,835 hours of instruction and combines education in hair, skincare, and nails. Phagans also offers Hair Design and Esthetics, Hair Design and Nail Technology, and Esthetics and Nail Technology combinations.
Choosing between an individual and combined program comes down to what you want from your education. Reviewing each curriculum before enrolling can help you understand exactly which skills you’ll study.
Do cosmetology students get hands-on experience?
Yes, hands-on practice is an important part of beauty school at Phagans. Students can progress from classroom instruction and practice into supervised work where they continue developing technical and customer service skills.
For example, students in the Hair Design program begin in the classroom learning foundational techniques. They can practice on mannequins, models, and each other while working through units in cutting, design, chemical retexturizing, and color.
After successfully completing the required Level 1 work, students can move to the clinic floor.
This progression gives students an opportunity to practice what they’ve learned while receiving guidance from instructors. It also introduces the customer service side of working in beauty, since technical ability is only one part of providing services to clients.
What is the clinic floor like at beauty school?
The clinic floor gives more advanced students an opportunity to practice their skills in an environment that more closely resembles providing services in a salon. Students can work with actual clients while under instructor supervision.
That doesn’t mean classroom learning stops once you reach the clinic floor. Students continue learning, completing coursework, practicing techniques, and receiving evaluations as they progress through their education.
The Phagans student salon also serves members of the public. All student services are performed under the supervision and direction of a registered teacher.
If you want to see the environment from a client’s perspective before enrolling, you can explore the Phagans student salon and the services students currently perform.
Is cosmetology school just about learning technical skills?
No. Beauty school involves more than learning how to perform a haircut, facial, nail service, or other technical procedure. Students also need to develop habits and skills that can help them work effectively with clients and function in a professional beauty environment.
Depending on your program, your education can involve:
- Beauty theory
- Technical skills
- Safety and sanitation
- Customer service
- Practical evaluations
- Written evaluations
- Working with instructors
- Working with clients
- Career development
Learning how to communicate with clients can be especially important. A beauty professional may need to understand what a client wants, explain a service, set appropriate expectations, and provide a positive experience while performing the technical work.
How is cosmetology school different from a traditional college classroom?
Beauty school generally includes more hands-on practice than a traditional lecture-based educational experience. Students still study theory and complete written work, but practical education is a major part of learning the skills associated with their chosen program.
At Phagans, students are evaluated on both theory and practical work. Current program information explains that grades are based on theory assignments, theory exams, practical assignments, and practical exams.
Students also progress through their program by completing required hours, operations, and evaluations. That means attendance and hands-on participation are important parts of the educational experience.
If you’re considering beauty school, be prepared to learn in multiple ways. You may spend part of your education studying concepts and another part practicing techniques or working with clients under supervision.
How do you know which cosmetology program is right for you?
The right beauty school program depends on which services and areas of the industry interest you most. Before enrolling, compare the curriculum and required hours for each program rather than choosing based only on the program name.
Think about the areas you’re most excited to learn:
- If you’re primarily interested in cutting, coloring, and styling hair, consider Hair Design.
- If skincare, facials, makeup, and related services interest you, consider Esthetics.
- If barbering techniques and men’s grooming interest you, explore Barbering.
- If you’re interested in nail services, explore Nail Technology.
- If you want to study multiple disciplines, compare Phagans’ dual-program options.
A school tour can also help you understand what the experience is actually like. You’ll be able to see the learning environment, ask questions about your program, and talk with the admissions team about what to expect.
How can you prepare for cosmetology school?
You can prepare for beauty school by researching programs, understanding the time commitment, and thinking about how school will fit into your existing schedule. You don’t need to arrive knowing every beauty technique. That’s what your education is designed to help you learn.
Before enrolling, consider these steps:
- Decide which areas of beauty interest you. Compare hair, skincare, nails, barbering, and combined programs.
- Review the curriculum. Look at what each program actually teaches and how many hours it requires.
- Visit the school. Seeing the campus can give you a better idea of what your day-to-day environment could look like.
- Ask about scheduling. Understand when you’ll need to be at school and how the schedule fits your other responsibilities.
- Plan for the cost of school. Ask about tuition and available financial aid. Financial aid is available to those who qualify.
- Understand licensing requirements. Learn what you’ll need to complete to pursue licensure in your chosen field after school.
What should you expect from cosmetology school at Phagans?
At Phagans School of Hair Design, you can expect an education that combines theory, practical training, evaluations, and supervised experience. Your exact experience will depend on whether you choose Hair Design, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology, or a dual-program option.
As you progress, you’ll have opportunities to move from learning foundational concepts to practicing the skills associated with your program. More advanced students can also gain experience interacting with clients on the clinic floor under instructor supervision.
If you’re wondering whether beauty school is right for you, seeing it firsthand can help. Request enrollment information from Phagans to learn more about your program options, ask questions about the admissions process, or schedule a tour of the Happy Valley school.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cosmetology School
What is a typical day in cosmetology school like?
A typical day can include classroom instruction, theory work, demonstrations, practical training, and hands-on practice. Your schedule and activities depend on your program and how far you’ve progressed in your education.
Do you work with real clients in cosmetology school?
More advanced Phagans students can practice technical and customer service skills with actual clients on the clinic floor under instructor supervision. Students first build foundational knowledge and skills before progressing to this stage of training.
How many hours is the Hair Design program at Phagans?
Phagans’ current Hair Design program consists of 1,150 hours. Students progress through structured levels and complete required hours, operations, and written and practical evaluations.
Does Phagans offer a full cosmetology program?
Phagans offers a combined Hair Design, Nail Technology, and Esthetics program consisting of 1,835 hours of instruction. Students can also choose individual programs and other dual-program combinations depending on the areas of beauty they want to study.
Is financial aid available for cosmetology school?
Financial aid is available at Phagans for those who qualify. Prospective students can speak with the admissions team about financial aid and options for managing the cost of their education.
Can I tour Phagans before enrolling?
Yes. Prospective students can request enrollment information and schedule a tour to see the school, learn about program options, and ask questions about the admissions process.
