Cosmetology Instructor Training Program at Tricoci University
- For licensed cosmetologists, estheticians, and barbers who are ready to teach.
- Practice teaching in the classroom and on the student clinic floor, with Tricoci University educators as your guides.
- Prepares you for a teacher license in Illinois or an instructor license in Indiana. Accredited by NACCAS.
Cosmetology Instructor Training for Licensed Beauty Professionals
Is becoming a cosmetology instructor the right career path for you?
Ready to help the next generation of beauty professionals learn from the best? Whether you’ve been rocking your craft in the field for years now, or you know that your passion for the beauty industry shines strongest in helping others realize their own industry dreams, teacher and instructor training at Tricoci University is built for you.
Teacher training (Cosmetology Teacher and Esthetics Teacher in Illinois) and Instructor Training (Indiana) are open to licensed beauty professionals. You will learn how to plan lessons, lead a classroom, coach students through guest services on the clinic floor, and prepare for your state teaching credential: a teacher license in Illinois or an instructor license in Indiana.
Who Can Enroll in Instructor Training
Instructor training is a post-licensure program. You already know the craft. This program teaches you how to teach it. To enroll, you need:
- A current license in the field you plan to teach: cosmetology, esthetics, or barber
- Your licensed experience, if you have any. In Illinois, two or more years of licensed practice may qualify you for the shorter teacher track
- A high school diploma or equivalent
- A conversation with a campus advisor. Instructor training is offered at the discretion of each campus, so your advisor confirms the tracks and start dates open to you.
Program Options, Hours, and Schedule
Tricoci University offers teacher training in Illinois (Cosmetology Teacher and Esthetics Teacher) and Instructor Training in Indiana. The right track depends on the license you hold, your experience, and the state where you plan to teach.
| STATE | PROGRAM | CLOCK HOURS | FULL-TIME | PART-TIME |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | Cosmetology Teacher | 1,000 | 7 months | 12 months |
| Illinois | Cosmetology Teacher | 600 | Not listed | 7 months |
| Illinois | Esthetics Teacher | 750 | Not listed | 9 months |
| Illinois | Barber Teacher (select campuses) | 1,000 | 7 months | 12 months |
| Illinois | Barber Teacher (select campuses) | 600 | Not listed | 7 months |
| Indiana | Instructor Training | 1,000 | 7 months | 12 months |
Part-time classes are built for working professionals and meet Monday through Wednesday, 9:00 to 5:00. Tracks and schedules vary by campus.
Embrace Your Journey
What you’ll learn: from behind the chair to the front of the classroom
Instructor training teaches you how to teach. You will study the same skills a traditional educator is trained on, applied to the beauty classroom:
- Brain-compatible learning and how to reach the different learning styles in one classroom
- Writing lesson plans and building curriculum
- Classroom management and student engagement
- Managing learner outcomes in the classroom and on the student clinic floor
Every Tricoci University campus runs a student clinic salon that is open to the public, so your practice teaching happens with real students serving real guests.
What Does Instructor Training Have to Offer?
The short answer? A lot. The long answer? Explore our detailed guides on all things beauty school instructor below.
Instructor Training 101
Dig into the details of instructor training, from the type of education you’ll receive to how to balance costs and more.
The Honor of Instructor Training
What Will I Learn in Instructor Training?
Want to dive deep on the classes you’ll take and what the instructor training experience at Tricoci University is really like? Read these articles for the inside scoop.
What Can I Do After Instructor Training?
Life after instructor training at Tricoci University can be pretty great. Wondering what it might look like for you? Explore our guides on becoming a beauty school instructor.
Where Instructor Training is Offered
Teacher training (Cosmetology Teacher and Esthetics Teacher in Illinois) and Instructor Training (Indiana) are offered at select Tricoci University campuses. The Barber Teacher track runs at select campuses only. Each campus decides which tracks it runs and when, so the first step is a conversation with an advisor at the campus nearest you.
Illinois
Cosmetology Teacher, Esthetics Teacher, and Barber Teacher tracks at select campuses
Indiana
Instructor Training at select campuses
"Tricoci gave me the technical and professional skills I needed to become the best me."
I was enrolled in another school and decided to check out Tricoci University to compare. When I first walked into the campus I could immediately see how much more of a professional atmosphere this school was and made the switch. Tricoci gave me the technical and professional skills I needed to become the best me I can be and I am proud to say I am a tricoci alumni.
– Daved
Teacher and Instructor Licensure in Illinois and Indiana
Accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences, Inc.
Finishing the program is one step. To teach, you also need a state teaching credential, and the two states we serve name it differently:
Illinois
A teacher license in your field (Cosmetology Teacher, Esthetics Teacher, or Barber Teacher), issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). For the Cosmetology Teacher license, Illinois requires 1,000 hours of teacher training, or 500 hours plus two years of licensed experience, and a passing score on the state teacher exam.
Indiana
A Beauty Culture Instructor license, issued through the Indiana State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners. Indiana requires 500 hours of instructor training, a current primary license (cosmetologist, esthetician, barber, or manicurist), and a high school diploma or equivalent.
Your campus advisor will confirm which track meets the requirement for the license you hold and the state where you plan to teach.
Request Info
Where a Teaching Credential Can Take You
A teaching credential adds a second career path to the license you already hold. Licensed instructors work as:
- Classroom instructors who teach theory and technique at beauty schools
- Clinic floor instructors who coach students through real guest services
- Lead instructors and education directors who run programs and mentor new teachers
- Brand and product educators for professional beauty companies
Tuition and Financial Aid for Instructor Training
Tuition for instructor training depends on your track, its clock hours, and your campus. Before you enroll, your advisor will give you the full cost for your track and what it includes.
Ways to pay may include:
- Federal financial aid for those who qualify, starting with the FAFSA
- Scholarships and grants
- Monthly payment plans
For a personal estimate, request information or talk with a Tricoci University financial aid advisor.
Looking for Another Beauty School Career?
At Tricoci University, our cosmetology program goes beyond the basics, immersing students in the chemistry, artistry, and advanced techniques needed to master hair cutting, coloring, and styling.
For some of our students, that means realizing that teaching isn’t actually the area of study they were looking for.
Thankfully, we offer a whole suite of innovative and in-depth programs that focus on various aspects of the beauty industry. That way, wherever your heart leads, we can help you follow.
Cosmetology
At Tricoci University, our cosmetology program goes beyond the basics—immersing students in the chemistry, artistry, and advanced techniques needed to master hair cutting, coloring, and styling. You’ll graduate not just licensed, but truly salon-ready, thanks to hands-on training, interactive classroom learning, and real-world experience.
Nail Technology / Manicuring
Dream of becoming a sought-after nail artist? Our nail technology program teaches cutting-edge manicure, pedicure, and nail art techniques, blending creativity with professional skill-building. With a heavy focus on hands-on practice, you’ll leave prepared to stand out in this fast-growing industry.*
*Available at select Tricoci University campuses.
Esthetics / Aesthetics
For those passionate about skincare science, our esthetics program transforms students into confident, knowledgeable experts. Through a mix of hands-on clinical training, dynamic theory, and real-world scenarios, you’ll master everything from treatments to client care, all while preparing for licensure and career success.
Barber
Our Barber Program merges tradition with modern trends, offering mentorship from industry pros and intensive training in haircutting, shaving, and grooming.*
*Available at select Tricoci University campuses.
Learn More About Instructor Training
Check out more detailed information on different aspects of our instructor training courses.
The Honor of Instructor Training
Guest blog from one of our Teacher Trainees, Christina Scalise I am currently about half […]
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Four Different Paths of Beauty Education
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Read More >>FAQs
Here are a few common questions we receive about what instructor training really looks like and what to expect as an incoming student.
It is a post-licensure program: you enroll after you hold your own license, and you finish prepared to apply for a teacher license in Illinois or an instructor license in Indiana.
Join the next Tricoci University of Beauty Culture class today
You already know the craft. The Instructor Training Program at Tricoci University teaches you how to pass it on. Talk with an advisor about the tracks, schedules, and start dates at your campus.
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