How Long Does Esthetics School Take?

Esthetics school in Michigan is 750 clock hours, and because the program is hour-based, your timeline depends on your schedule. As a full-time day student at David Pressley School of Cosmetology, you can complete the program in as little as about 25 weeks, roughly six months. Evening students take a little longer but can keep working while they train. That makes esthetics one of the faster paths into skincare work, and this guide breaks down what shapes the timeline, what you learn along the way, and how David Pressley helps you finish.

How long is esthetics school in Michigan?

Michigan requires 750 hours of esthetics training at a licensed school for students starting after July 1, 2024. At David Pressley School of Cosmetology, the esthetics program is structured so a full-time day student can complete those hours in as little as about 25 weeks, or roughly six months.

Your academic path begins on your start date and continues until you have completed all required hours and graduation requirements, so your exact finish date is something you can shape with your schedule.

What affects how long it takes?

While 25 weeks is the standard full-time estimate, a few things move the timeline:

• Day vs. evening schedule: day (full-time) students finish fastest; evening (part-time) students take longer but can work while enrolled.
• Attendance: because the program is hour-based, consistent attendance is what moves you through the required hours.
• Personal commitments: work, family, and other obligations can shape whether a day or evening schedule fits better.

The key point is that you have options. Whether you want to move quickly or need a more flexible pace, the admissions team can help you build a schedule around your life.

What do you learn in the 750 hours?

Those hours give you a foundation in both the science and the artistry of skincare. Your training covers:

• Skincare fundamentals: facials, cleansing, exfoliation, hydration, and skin analysis.
• Hair removal: safe, sanitary facial and body waxing.
• Makeup application: everyday and special-occasion looks, plus color theory.
• Skin science: anatomy, common conditions, and when a service is not appropriate.
• Sanitation and safety: infection control and the safe use of tools.
• Professional skills: client consultation, trust, and retention.

Day vs. night classes: which is right for you?

Choosing your schedule is one of the bigger decisions you will make, and neither option is better, they simply fit different lives.

• Day classes: complete your training in about 25 weeks; ideal if you want to finish and start working as soon as possible.
• Night classes: designed for students with daytime commitments; the timeline is longer, but you can keep working while you attend.

Can you really finish in six months?

Yes. With full-time day attendance, many students complete the 750-hour esthetics program in as little as about 25 weeks, or roughly six months. From there you move on to the steps to become licensed and begin working.

Even on a part-time evening schedule, most students still finish in under a year, which is fast compared with a traditional degree.

One thing to keep in mind: because the program is measured in hours rather than semesters, your finish date is genuinely in your hands. Strong, consistent attendance is the single biggest factor in how quickly you complete your 750 hours, so students who treat it like a job tend to graduate right around that six-month mark.

Why train at David Pressley School of Cosmetology?

A short timeline only matters if you get real skill for the time you invest. The David Pressley esthetics education is built around that:

• Efficient, focused training: complete your required hours in about 25 weeks while building hands-on experience.
• Real-world practice: work with real guests in the student salon under licensed instructors.
• Flexible scheduling: day and evening options at Royal Oak and Taylor campuses.
• Room to grow: the school also offers cosmetology and instructor programs for continued education.
• Support with cost: admissions helps you plan, and Financial Aid is available to those who qualify.

Is esthetics school worth the time?

When you weigh how long esthetics school takes, it helps to look at what you get for those roughly six months. For many students the answer is a clear yes, for a few reasons:

• A faster path than a degree: you can complete training and move toward licensure in under a year, rather than the several years a traditional degree takes.
• Hands-on, creative work: every day is different, and you get to make a visible difference in how clients feel about their skin.
• Flexible career settings: salons, medical spas, resorts, makeup, retail, or your own practice all become options with the license.
• Room to keep growing: you can add advanced skills, or step into cosmetology or an instructor role later.

The relatively short, focused timeline is a big part of the appeal: you invest about six months and come out with a state license and real, employable skills.

What happens after you finish your hours?

Completing your 750 hours is the milestone, but it is not the finish line. After graduation you apply for your license through the state and sit for the written and practical exams, then you can begin working as a licensed esthetician.

Because you trained on real guests in the student salon, the practical exam and your first days on the job tend to feel familiar rather than intimidating. The admissions and instructional teams at David Pressley can point you toward next steps as you approach graduation.

What can you do with an esthetician license?

Part of why the short timeline appeals to people is how many directions the license can take you afterward. Licensed estheticians work in:

• Day spas and salons
• Medical spas and dermatology offices
• Resorts, hotels, and cruise ships
• Makeup artistry and beauty retail
• Lash and brow specialties
• Their own independent skincare practice

That range is why a six-month investment can lead to years of flexible work. If you later want to broaden your skills, David Pressley also offers cosmetology and instructor programs, so your education can keep growing with your goals.

Next step: Curious how the schedule would fit your life? Ask David Pressley admissions about day and evening options for the esthetics program and map out your timeline. Financial Aid is available to those who qualify.

Frequently asked questions

How many hours is esthetics school in Michigan?

Michigan requires 750 clock hours of state-approved esthetics training for students who start after July 1, 2024.

How many months is esthetics school?

Full-time day students can complete the 750-hour program in as little as about six months, roughly 25 weeks. Evening schedules take longer.

Can you work while attending esthetics school?

Yes. Evening and part-time schedules are designed so students can keep working while completing the required hours.

Is esthetics school worth it?

For many students, yes. It is a relatively short, hands-on path into skincare work, and it can lead to roles in salons, spas, medical spas, and independent practice.

How many hours a week is esthetics school?

It depends on whether you attend day or evening classes. A full-time day schedule moves you toward the 750 hours fastest, while an evening schedule spreads the hours out so you can keep working while you train.