Cosmetology graduates can receive 28 credits toward an associate degree in business
Paul Mitchell The School Provo (PMTSP) and Utah Valley University (UVU) have joined forces to offer cosmetology graduates a faster, more efficient route to earning an associate degree in business management, cutting the time to completion in half.
This agreement enables PMTSP graduates to transfer 28 credits from their cosmetology program toward an associate degree in business management at UVU, allowing students to achieve both a cosmetology license and an associate degree in business management in just two years.
“The agreement is about possibilities,” said Josh Starita, president of Paul Mitchell Schools North Star Group. “It will expand our graduates’ opportunities beyond the salon chair. They will gain entrepreneurial and leadership skills to help them manage or own their own salons, work in management, or pursue other business ventures.”
These credits can also be applied toward a bachelor’s degree, providing even greater flexibility for future academic pursuits. This opportunity is available exclusively to students graduating in 2025 or later.
“Our goal at UVU is to give students the tools and confidence to take charge of their futures — whether that means running their own salon, leading a team, or starting a business that they have dreamed about,” said Wayne Vaught, UVU provost and sr. vice president of Academic Affairs. “We are excited to see what graduates do with this new opportunity.”
One of the main reasons for this program is that many cosmetology students express a desire to eventually run their own businesses in the beauty industry. The agreement will provide a faster and more efficient path toward a degree, giving students crucial coursework in accounting, marketing, management, and other key competencies for managing a business.
Starita expressed his excitement about the new partnership, stating, “We’re thrilled to partner with UVU. At Paul Mitchell Schools, we’re committed to empowering future professionals with the tools they need to succeed — not just behind the chair but in every aspect of the beauty industry.”
This partnership reflects the Provo-based school’s ongoing commitment to student success and innovation in beauty education. By bridging the gap between technical training and business skills, the program equips students with the experience needed to thrive in today’s competitive beauty industry.
About Utah Valley University
At Utah Valley University, we believe everyone deserves the transforming benefits of high-quality education — and it needs to be affordable, accessible, and flexible. With opportunities to earn everything from certificates to master’s degrees, our students succeed by gaining real-world experience and developing career-ready skills. We continue to invite people to come as they are — and leave ready and prepared to make a difference in the world.
