If you’re researching esthetician programs in Utah, one of the first things you want to know is how long esthetician school is going to take and what the hours will look like. The straightforward answer: it depends on the program you choose and whether you attend full-time or part-time.
In Utah, a master esthetician license requires 1,200 total hours of training. At Skin Science Institute, with campuses in Sandy and Orem, we offer two paths to get there: a 600-hour Intermediate Master program for already-licensed estheticians, and a 1,200-hour Comprehensive Master program for students starting from scratch.
Below, our instructors and admissions team answer the most common questions prospective students ask before enrolling.
Is there an entrance exam for esthetician school?
Most esthetician schools do not have entrance exams, nor do they require SAT or ACT scores. Some schools require a high school diploma or a GED, but the most important requirement for getting into esthetician school is a desire to learn and a dedication to complete the program, graduate and get your Utah esthetician license.
How long is esthetician school?
In Utah, earning a master esthetician license requires completing 1,200 total hours of approved esthetics training. At Skin Science Institute, we offer two programs to meet that requirement, and your timeline will depend on which one you enroll in and the schedule you choose.
Our 1,200-Hour Comprehensive Master Esthetics Program is designed for students with no prior esthetics training. It combines foundational skincare education with advanced clinical and medical esthetics into one complete course. Students who attend full-time can complete the program in approximately 7 months. Part-time students typically finish in around 13 months.
Our 600-Hour Intermediate Master Esthetician Program is for students who are already licensed estheticians or cosmetologists and want to advance into clinical and medical esthetics. Because this program picks up where your existing training left off, the timeline is shorter — roughly 4 to 5 months full-time, or longer with a part-time schedule.
At Skin Science Institute, you can choose to take classes full time or part time. We offer three schedule options to fit different lifestyles:
- Full-Time Day: Tuesday–Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (37.5 hours/week)
- Part-Time Morning: Tuesday–Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. (22.5 hours/week)
- Part-Time Afternoon: Tuesday–Saturday, 1:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (22.5 hours/week)
Students who go to esthetician school full time can complete their education in about four months, while part-time students will go for eight months.
Is esthetician school hard?
Most students in Skin Science Institute’s master esthetician programs find it challenging. You’re learning clinical-grade skills that require both technical precision and genuine understanding of skin science. But challenging doesn’t mean overwhelming. What is reassuring to our students is that our instructors are always available to give advice, provide extra help or talk to them about any issues they are having.
Part-time students in particular often have to work harder because they have jobs or are responsible for child care outside of attending school. We assure you, however, that your hard work will pay off at graduation. Many of our students come in nervous and leave confident — not just with a license, but with real hands-on experience from working with actual clients in our student spa and clinic.
Curious how SSI compares to other schools in the state? Our post on how to choose the right esthetician school in Utah walks through exactly what to look for.
When is enrollment at Skin Science Institute?
Enrollment at Skin Science Institute is ongoing, with new classes starting every single month of the year — so there’s no waiting for a semester to begin or a long gap between when you decide to enroll and when you actually start. We recommend enrolling at least two weeks before your desired start date to make sure your spot is secured.
You can find exact start dates on our 1,200-Hour Comprehensive Master Esthetics Program page as well as our 600-Hour Intermediate Master Esthetician Program page.
Where is Skin Science Institute?
We have two campuses — one in Sandy and another in Orem. These locations are strategically placed to serve students from across northern and central Utah, including West Jordan, Salt Lake City, Provo, West Valley City, Lehi, South Jordan, Pleasant Grove, and the surrounding communities. If you’ve been searching for an esthetician school near Salt Lake City or an esthetician program in Utah County, one of our campuses is likely close to you.
Do you offer scholarships?
Yes, we offer our students several scholarships, most between $100 and $500. When you’re pursuing higher education, every dollar counts, so it’s worth it to apply for one or more scholarships. Our admissions team can walk you through which scholarships you may be eligible for when you request your free info pack.
Can I get financial aid?
Yes, you can apply for financial aid, and our staff can help you. Whether you’re looking for a grant or a loan from the federal government, we can assist you with applications so that you will be able to enroll in esthetician school as soon as possible.
Is now a good time to enroll in esthetician school?
Yes! Utah’s esthetics industry has been growing steadily, and demand for licensed skincare professionals, particularly those with master-level training, continues to rise.
Skin Science Institute’s master-level programs are built around that reality. Whether you’re looking to work in a high-end spa in Salt Lake City, a medical spa in Lehi or South Jordan, or a dermatology clinic along the Wasatch Front, the training you get here is designed to make you competitive for those roles from day one. The hours in esthetician school are well worth it if you want to pursue a career in the esthetics industry.
For more on the career landscape, check out our posts on why esthetics is one of the fastest-growing careers in Utah and the esthetics school boom in Utah.
Best Beauty School in Utah
Now that you know what to expect when getting an esthetician license — the hours, the schedules, the timeline, and what life looks like as a student — there’s no reason to wait. At Skin Science Institute, we’re proud to serve students from across Salt Lake County, Utah County, and the greater Wasatch Front, helping them launch careers they actually love.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or already hold an esthetician or cosmetology license, we have a program built for you:
- 1,200-Hour Comprehensive Master Esthetics Program: for students with no prior training, combining foundational and advanced esthetics into one complete course.
- 600-Hour Intermediate Master Esthetician Program: for licensed estheticians or cosmetologists ready to move into clinical and medical esthetics.
Apply now or request your free info pack to get started. New classes begin every month — your next chapter is closer than you think.
