Cosmetology Course Information

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Cosmetology Course Description

Standard Occupational Classification (SOC 39-5012.00)  
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 12.0401)
The curriculum involves 1500 hours to satisfy Maryland state requirements. The course includes instruction and practical experience in cutting, hair coloring, perming, customer service, personal appearance and hygiene, personal motivation and development, retail skills, client record keeping, business ethics, sanitation, state laws and regulations, salon-type administration, and job interviewing.

*Graduates are prepared to be entry-level cosmetologists.
This course is taught in English.

Cosmetology Course Overview

Course Hours: 1500 clock hours

The course is divided into pre-clinical classroom instruction and clinical service learning experiences.

  1. Pre-clinical Classroom Instruction: The first 400 hours are devoted to classroom workshops where students learn design principles, technical information, and professional practices.
  2. Clinic Classroom Learning Experience: The remaining 1100 hours are spent in the clinic classroom area where practical experience is gained.

Cosmetology Course Outline

Your time at Hair Expressions Academy - Paul Mitchell The School - Jessup for the cosmetology program will be divided into six designations:

  1. Core Curriculum: A 210 hour orientation, known as the Core program, instills the basic fundamentals. Students are graded and evaluated using written, oral, and practical testing methods. Students must successfully complete the Core curriculum prior to attending regularly scheduled daily classes in cutting, coloring, permanent waving, and chemical texture services. 
  2. Protégé Learning Experience: Your experience as a Protégé produces a smooth transition from Core student to Adaptive student. You spend 190 hours as a Protégé preparing you for the clinic classroom experience.
  3. Clinic Classroom Learning Experience: Your clinic classroom time from 400 to 1500 hours will be guided with individual attention and group learning experiences using mini-classes, clinic classroom worksheets, and periodic  evaluations developed specifically for this monitoring progress. This is when you begin experiencing your clinic classroom education on paying clients in the clinic classroom area.
  4. Classroom Learning Experience: Your classroom time from 400 to 1500 hours is divided into six (6) areas: cutting, coloring, texture, makeup, skin, and nails. Each area has an instructor who conducts the different specialty classes each week. Classroom Learning Experiences may also include retail, motivation, self improvement, professional development, and attendance education which may be conducted by an instructor, non-licensed staff member or guest artist.
  5. Adaptive Curriculum: From 400 to 750 hours you will enter a new phase of specialty classroom workshops coupled with challenging practical services designed to continue building you into a confident beauty industry professional.
  6. Creative Curriculum: You will spend your last 750 hours at Hair Expressions Academy - Paul Mitchell  The School - Jessup in “high gear” by dressing, acting, and working like a salon industry professional. You will use your own artistic and creative abilities, coupled with the assistance of the Learning Leaders, to prepare yourself for your future beauty industry career.

State of Maryland Requirements - Cosmetology

The following is an itemization and description of the 1500 hour cosmetology program offered by Hair Expressions Academy - Paul Mitchell The School - Jessup:

Cosmetology Theory Practical Clinic Total
Orientation - to familiarize students with the school policies, review program, introduce staff and teachers, and review kit items. 4 - - 4
Your  Professional  Image  -  Students will learn about personal and professional health, physical presentation, Personality, effective communication and guidelines for effective human relations and professional ethics. 18 24 27 69
Sanitation and Bacteriology - Methods of sterilization and sanitation and types and classes of bacteria. 8 16 8 32
Properties of the Scalp and Hair - Learn the care, disorders, properties, and analyze hair. 16 20 36 72
Draping, Shampooing, Rinses - Procedures and techniques for shampooing, draping, and use of required materials and implements for hair services. 14 16 48 78
Hair Shaping - Procedures for hair cutting using different techniques including scissors and razors. 14 24 112 150
Hair and Hair Styling - The art of using finger waves, pin curls, rollers and different braiding and up-do techniques. 40 92 176 308
Thermal Pressing and Styling - The art of styling hair using thermal iron, blow dryer, and other styling techniques. 19 16 36 71
Permanent Waving and Chemical Relaxing - The art of restructuring the hair by means of permanent waving and chemical relaxing. 22 40 112 174
Hair Coloring - The art of changing, matching and lightening or darkening hair with the use of toners, hair colors, and/or lighteners. 30 60 124 214
Artificial Hair - The art of working with wigs, hairpieces, and extensions. 12 12 8 32
Nails and Manicuring - Understanding the structure and composition of nails and learning manicuring techniques. 11 24 40 75
Facials, Makeup, and Skin Care - The art of working with the face in terms of cleansing, facial manipulations, and makeup techniques along with studying skin disorders and hair removal. 27 48 25 100
Anatomy - The study of the body systems and functions along with their composition. 5 - - 5
Electricity - The study of all the components involved with light and electricity and how it affects the body. 10 - - 10
Chemistry - Understanding the science of chemistry as it reflects on nature and salon use. 10 - - 10
Salon Business - Learning the keys to opening, operating, and selling a successful business. 21 44 12 77
Outside Events – trade/hair shows, seminars, partner school events, industry related approved events 16 - - 16
Maryland State Laws and Regulations 3  - - 3
Totals for Cosmetology Program 300 436 764 1500

The institution offers employment assistance to help graduates’ efforts  to secure education-related employment that includes, but is not limited to training in professionalism, resume’ development, job interview preparation and job search skills.

PROGRAM PURPOSE

The student will acquire a broad knowledge of both the science and art of Cosmetology, and be able to use the knowledge as a foundation to be successful in the profession of Cosmetology. The student will develop his/her physical dexterity and manipulative skills and develop loyalty and enthusiasm for the profession. The student will acquire ethical standards and work to achieve ability through diligent practice, continuous study, hard work, and perseverance, and be able to use his/her initiative to produce professional results. The program will prepare students for the Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists Examination and entry-level employment.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of the Cosmetology Program, the student will be able to:

  1. Analyze hair and scalp problems and administer corrective treatments.
  2. Have a thorough knowledge of anatomy, hair structure, and chemistry.
  3. Administer cold/acid-waving techniques.
  4. Administer chemical and physical techniques of hair straightening.
  5. Care for and style wigs.
  6. Administer a professional shampoo.
  7. Administer hair coloring.
  8. Create hairstyles through the use of roller placement, thermal waving/curling, finger waves, pin curls, and blow-drying.
  9. Administer a facial with make-up and remove superfluous hair.
  10. Administer a professional manicure, pedicure, and nail extensions.
  11. Operate/open a salon and employ the principles and practices of salon management.
  12. Employ basic First Aid measures.
  13. Practice good hygiene and good grooming.
  14. Practice professional ethics and personality development.
  15. Drape for a cosmetology service.
  16. Employ rules of sanitation and sterilization.
  17. Employ safety precautions.
  18. Practice and employ the rules, regulations, and laws of the Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists.
  19. Administer a professional hair shaping.
  20. Practice good salesmanship.
  21. Be prepared for entry-level employment in cosmetology.

OCCUPATIONAL OBJECTIVES

Once the student has completed the program and passed the Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists examination for license, he/she will be qualified to seek employment as a Cosmetologist in a salon, a demonstrator for a cosmetic firm, operator in a department store salon, as well as other opportunities.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS

Methods of lecture, demonstration, drill, role-play, discussion, handouts (assignment sheets), job sheets, audio/visual aids, student participation, question and answer, home play, and textbook/workbook will be utilized.

COSMETOLOGY PROGRAM TESTING AND GRADING PROCEDURE

The following tests and grading procedures are used to assess student learning and mastery of course content in the 1500-hour course:

  1. Academic theory exams: Students must receive a grade of 75% or higher on each assigned theory exam.
  2. Core written and practical skills evaluation: Students must receive a grade of 75% or higher on each written exam and each practical skill exam in order to complete the Core program. The exams are an overview of instruction taught during the Core schedule.  All Core written and practical skill exams must be passed with a 75% in order to transition to the Clinic Classroom. If students are unable to pass each exam after two attempts, the student may be asked to withdraw from the program and re-enroll in the next available Core class start date. 
  3. Final exam 1: This test covers an overview of all related cosmetology subjects (e.g., anatomy, chemistry, etc.). Students must receive a grade of 75% or higher on all final exams.
  4. Final exam 2: The written exam covers an overview of all theory instruction, Maryland state law, and other items covered on the state cosmetology exam. Students must receive a grade of 75% or higher on all final exams. 
  5. Practical clinic classroom worksheets: Students must complete all assigned practical clinic classroom  worksheets.