Cosmetology and Hair Design

Overview

Cosmetology and hair design programs prepare people to provide beauty services to customers.

Cosmetology and hair design programs include topics such as:

Hair cutting and styling
Manicures and pedicures
Facial treatments
Salon management
Sanitation and safety
Customer service

Concentrations

Students in cosmetology programs may be able to specialize in:

Electrolysis
Salon management
Permanent cosmetics and cosmetic tattooing
Facial treatments
Makeup
Manicures

Schools

Many career schools and community colleges offer certificate and associate degree programs in cosmetology and hair design. A certificate program usually takes a year of study. An associate degree program usually takes two years of full-time study.

See schools that offer this program.

Related Educational Programs

Related Careers

Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study

Other Careers Related to this Program of Study

Program Admission

You can prepare for this program of study by getting your high school diploma or GED.

Additional requirements at some schools include:

Test of Basic Adult Education (TABE)
Personal interview

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:

Art
Barbering
Biology
Business Management
Chemistry
Cosmetology
Cosmetology Work Experience
Cosmetology, Nails
Introduction to Business
Safety and First Aid

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

This program typically includes courses in the following subjects:

Bacteriology
Barbering Techniques
Client Consultation
Cosmetology Instruments
Disorders of Skin, Scalp, and Hair
Hair Coloring and Straightening
Hair Design
Hair Removal Techniques
Hairpiece Fitting
Makeup Application and Technology
Manicuring and Pedicuring
Massage Therapy
Permanent Waving
Sanitation and Sterilization Techniques
Skin Analysis
Skin Histology and Physiology
Spa Therapy Treatments

All programs also include a practicum in their curriculum. This is a hands-on opportunity to practice the techniques you've learned. You might complete your practicum in any of a number of different settings, including a nail salon, a spa, a hair salon, or a clinic. Some schools own their own salons where their students can complete their practicums.

You usually first practice your techniques on a mannequin, under the supervision of your teacher. Eventually, however, you get to work with real clients. Whatever the setting, you always benefit from the guidance and direct supervision of an experienced cosmetologist or hair designer.

Things to Know

You are expected to buy your own equipment and instruments for your courses.

All states require you to be licensed to practice cosmetology and hair design. Licensure requirements vary from state to state. However, they typically include a written, skills, and oral exam.

Some states have separate licensing requirements for certain specialties of cosmetology such as manicures or electrolysis.

Fashions change, and new technologies develop in this field. You should expect to continue training throughout your career to remain up to date.

Many cosmetologists and hair designers are self-employed. You may find it helpful to take business and marketing courses.