Education Category
Top cosmetology academies delivering licensure foundations and shear mastery1–5.
Use this playbook to vet accredited schools, compare program hours, and design application timelines that balance foundational licensure with advanced cutting labs across Aveda, Paul Mitchell, Sassoon, Pivot Point, and Empire networks.
Back to Education Hub- For the latest licensing or curriculum details, consult your local government licensing board and the provider's official website.
- Scissorpedia is an independent reference resource; we do not advertise or promote any specific education company and are not affiliated with those listed.
- All information compiled here is sourced from public records and may change without prior notice.
Featured academies
High-impact academies with documented shear training, national reach, and wellness-forward curricula.
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes
Nationwide network of Aveda-branded cosmetology schools blending salon rituals, wellness, and business coaching across 17 U.S. markets.
- Hours: 1500
- Delivery: in-person, hybrid
- Enrollment: Rolling admissions with monthly or quarterly start dates depending on campus.
- Tuition notes: Varies by campus; request catalog PDFs for precise tuition, fees, and kit costs.
Empire Beauty Schools
Coast-to-coast cosmetology school network delivering licensure programs, continuing education, and community salon clinics with Redken-centric technical training.
- Hours: 1200-1600
- Delivery: in-person, hybrid
- Enrollment: Rolling admissions with daytime and evening cohorts; frequent start dates tied to campus calendars.
- Tuition notes: Tuition varies by campus ($18,000-$24,000) plus kit fees; consult campus-specific tuition addendum.
Paul Mitchell Schools
National franchise network delivering cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, nails, makeup, and instructor training with Paul Mitchell product integration and guest service clinics.
- Hours: 1500
- Delivery: in-person, hybrid
- Enrollment: Rolling cohorts with multiple start dates per year; request campus calendars for exact openings.
- Tuition notes: Tuition varies by campus; financial aid, scholarships, and military benefits promoted across the network.
Pivot Point Academy
Industry-leading academy channeling the Pivot Point LAB digital ecosystem with licensure programs, advanced cutting workshops, and blended learning for cosmetology and barbering professionals.
- Hours: 1500
- Delivery: in-person, hybrid, virtual
- Enrollment: Rolling class starts every 8-10 weeks; evening cohorts available twice per year.
- Tuition notes: Cosmetology diploma approx. $24,000-$26,000; barbering diploma approx. $19,000-$21,000 plus kit fees. Verify via current catalog schedule.
Quick compare
Review licensure hours, credential outcomes, and tool emphasis across headline academies. Fill placeholders as new providers are onboarded.
| Provider | Program hours | Credential | Tool focus | Tuition insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes | 1500 | Diploma; state licensure eligible | Aveda shear and tool orientation | Varies by campus; request catalog PDFs for precise tuition, fees, and kit costs. |
| Paul Mitchell Schools | 1500 | Diploma; licensure eligible | Paul Mitchell tool and product integration labs | Tuition varies by campus; financial aid, scholarships, and military benefits promoted across the network. |
| Sassoon Academy USA | 1600 | Diploma; California licensure eligible | ABC Precision Cutting Lab | Tuition varies by program: cosmetology diploma approx. $25,000-$27,000; advanced 5-day courses $1,800-$2,500. Confirm via current catalog. |
| Pivot Point Academy | 1500 | Diploma; Illinois licensure eligible | LAB Shear Simulation Labs | Cosmetology diploma approx. $24,000-$26,000; barbering diploma approx. $19,000-$21,000 plus kit fees. Verify via current catalog schedule. |
| Empire Beauty Schools | 1200-1600 | Diploma; state licensure eligible (varies by state) | Redken Cutting & Finishing Labs | Tuition varies by campus ($18,000-$24,000) plus kit fees; consult campus-specific tuition addendum. |
Curriculum snapshots
Core shear lessons that appear consistently in academy catalogs. Map to `_data/education/modules.yml` for deeper detail.
Cosmetology Foundations: Shear Control & Guest Care
Provider: aveda-arts
Hours: TBD
Objectives: Demonstrate safe shear handling, tension control, and sectioning fundamentals.; Apply Aveda guest rituals to haircut consultations and finishing services.; Integrate sanitation and ergonomics checkpoints into every haircut service.
Techniques: shear-over-comb, blunt-cutting, sectioning
Core Phase — Foundations of Paul Mitchell Cosmetology
Provider: paul-mitchell-schools
Hours: 300
Objectives: Master fundamental cutting, color, texture, and styling techniques using Paul Mitchell methodology.; Demonstrate sanitation, safety, and tool maintenance aligned to state board requirements.; Translate guest consultations into service blueprints and home-care recommendations.
Techniques: blunt-cutting, shear-over-comb, sectioning
Sassoon Cosmetology Precision Foundations
Provider: sassoon-academy-usa
Hours: 1600
Objectives: Master Sassoon ABC sectioning patterns, tension control, and body positioning for classic precision cuts.; Integrate daily shear maintenance routines including tension testing, sanitation, and edge inspection.; Deliver guest-ready finishes with blow-dry, iron, and styling techniques aligned to Sassoon service standards.
Techniques: precision-cutting, shear-over-comb, graduation
Pivot Point LAB Cosmetology Core
Provider: pivot-point-academy
Hours: 1500
Objectives: Build foundational cutting, color, texture, and design competencies using Pivot Point's LAB digital lesson plans.; Execute shear-over-comb, graduation, and texturizing techniques with ergonomics checkpoints built into LAB reflections.; Maintain sanitation, tool care, and guest documentation aligned with Illinois state board standards.
Techniques: shear-over-comb, graduation, texturizing
Empire Cosmetology Core Clinic
Provider: empire-beauty-schools
Hours: 1200
Objectives: Build foundational cutting, color, texture, and nail competencies aligned with state licensure requirements.; Execute shear-over-comb, blunt cutting, and layering techniques under educator supervision on mannequin and live guests.; Apply sanitation and tool maintenance protocols using clinic floor checklists and Redken service standards.
Techniques: blunt-cutting, shear-over-comb, layering
Empire Educator Training — Teaching Methodology
Provider: empire-beauty-schools
Hours: 300
Objectives: Develop lesson plans, demonstrations, and assessments for shear-based instruction aligned with Empire's instructor standards.; Coach students through clinic floor shear services, integrating safety, sanitation, and guest consultation protocols.; Track student progress using Empire's digital reporting tools and state board competencies.
Techniques: instruction, shear-coaching, assessment-design
Access path guidance
Prerequisites
- High school diploma or GED; some states allow enrollment at 16 with guardian consent.
- State-issued ID and social security number (or ITIN) for licensing paperwork.
- Admissions interview, campus tour, and financial aid consultation.
Application steps
- Request campus catalog and confirm state hour requirements.
- Complete FAFSA and scholarship applications 60-90 days before target start.
- Submit enrollment agreement, deposit, and kit order forms.
- Schedule orientation and pre-class shear handling warmup.
Licensure checklist
- Track clock hours weekly; reconcile with school registrar monthly.
- Document mannequin and live model competencies per state board rubric.
- Register for state board exams once 80-90% of hours are complete.
Regional coverage
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes cover Southeast, Gulf Coast, Pacific Northwest, and select Midwest hubs. Sassoon Academy anchors the West Coast with Santa Monica and advanced Los Angeles studios, while Pivot Point Academy provides Chicagoland access and digital LAB programming. Empire Beauty Schools extend across Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest corridors with Redken partnerships. Paul Mitchell Schools add national franchise reach across 100+ campuses.
State-by-state directory is in development—prioritize California, Texas, New York, Florida, Illinois, Washington, and Pennsylvania for initial release. Add campus accreditation IDs and tuition snapshots per state once sourced.
Cross-links & resources
Need downloadable assets? Grab admissions checklists and maintenance logs from the main Education Resource Library (downloads currently in production).
Next Up
Attach verified tuition tables, campus accreditation docs, and CE approvals for all academies. Integrate regional event calendar feeds for open houses and audition days. Produce downloadable admissions timelines for California, Texas, Illinois, and Florida cohorts.
Sources
- Cosmetology School at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes — Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes (retrieved 2025-09-18)
- Sassoon Academy USA Course Catalog 2025 — Sassoon Academy USA (retrieved 2025-09-18)
- Pivot Point Academy Student Catalog 2025 — Pivot Point Academy (retrieved 2025-09-18)
- Empire Beauty School Course Catalog 2025 — Empire Education Group (retrieved 2025-09-18)
- Cosmetology School | Paul Mitchell Cosmetology Programs — Paul Mitchell Schools (retrieved 2025-09-18)