Cosmetology Course Information

Cosmetology Course Description

Standard Occupational Classification (SOC 39-5012.00)
Classification of Instructional Program (CIP 12.0401)

The curriculum involves 1500 hours to satisfy Illinois state requirements. The course includes extensive instruction and practical experience in cutting, men’s cutting, color, texture, long hair, makeup, skin, nails, customer service, personal appearance and hygiene, personal motivation and development, retail (Take Home) skills, guest record-keeping, business ethics, sanitation, state laws and regulations, salon-type administration, and job interviewing.

*Graduates will be prepared to be an entry-level cosmetologist.

This course is taught in English. Textbooks and course materials are only offered in the English language.

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: Up to 200 hours are devoted to classroom workshops where students learn design principles, technical information, and professional practices.

  2. Clinic and Classroom Learning Experience: The remaining 1300 hours are spent in the classroom and clinic area where practical experience is gained.

  3. Instructional Methods: Students are guided through the 1500 hour curriculum by Learning Leaders using various instructional methods including, but not limited to, on-site education, hands-on education, lectures, digital textbooks, videos, digital applications, digital handouts, study guides, the use of doll heads, the clinic classroom floor, mini classes, apps, and online education.

COSMETOLOGY COURSE OUTLINE

Your time at Paul Mitchell The School Chicago and Paul Mitchell The School Lombard in the cosmetology program will be divided into seven designations:

  1. Basic Training: The first 150 hours of classroom instruction are in general theory and practical application in the following subject areas: tools and their use, shampoo, understanding chemicals and their use, types of hair, sanitation, hygiene, skin diseases and conditions, anatomy and physiology, electricity, ethics, nail technology and esthetics.

  2. Practical Chemical Application/Hair Treatment: 500 hours of instruction are a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on training in the following subject areas: chemical safety, permanent waving, hair coloring, tinting and bleaching, hair relaxing, hair and scalp conditioning, shampooing, toning and rinsing.

  3. Hair Styling/Hair Dressing: 475 hours of instruction are in hair styling with a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on learning experiences in the following subject areas: cutting, thinning, shaping, trimming, application of electrical/mechanical equipment, curling, hair treatments and marcelling.

  4. Shop Management, Sanitation and Interpersonal Relations: 200 hours of classroom instruction are in the following subject areas: labor law, workers’ compensation, client relations, bookkeeping, marketing and merchandising, emergency first aid, right-to-know laws, pertinent state and local laws and rules, business ethics, sanitation, electrical devices, personal grooming and hygiene.

  5. Esthetics: A total of 85 hours of esthetics instruction are provided.

  6. Nail Technology: A total of 55 hours of instruction in nail technology are provided.

  7. Electives: A total of 35 hours in student electives are provided.

COSMETOLOGY COURSE SUBJECTS

The instructional program of Paul Mitchell The School Chicago and Paul Mitchell The School Lombard meets or exceeds the state requirements:

Subject Subtotal Hours

I. Basic Training Theory and Practical Application

  1. tools and their use
  2. shampoo
  3. understanding chemicals and use
  4. types of hair
  5. sanitation
  6. hygiene
  7. skin diseases and conditions
  8. anatomy and physiology
  9. electricity
  10. ethics
  11. nail technology
  12. esthetics
  13. eyelash extensions, tabs, strips
  14. the Act and this Part, sanitary standards

150

II. Practical Chemical Application/Hair Treatment

  1. chemical safety
  2. permanent waving
  3. hair coloring, tinting, and bleaching
  4. hair relaxing
  5. hair scalp and conditioning
  6. shampooing, toning, and rinsing

500

III. Hair Styling/Hair Dressing

  1. cutting
  2. thinning
  3. shaping
  4. trimming
  5. application of electrical/mechanical equipment
  6. curling
  7. hair treatments
  8. blow drying

475

IV. Shop Management

  1. labor law
  2. workers’ compensation
  3. client relations
  4. bookkeeping
  5. marketing and merchandising
  6. emergency first aid
  7. right-to-know laws
  8. pertinent state and local laws/rules
  9. business ethics
  10. sanitation
  11. electrical devices
  12. personal grooming and hygiene
  13. OSHA standards relating to chemical use

200

V. Esthetics

  1. non-therapeutic massage, excluding the scalp
  2. nutrition and health of skin
  3. skin analysis
  4. cleansing the skin
  5. mask therapy and facial treatments
  6. facial treatments without the aid of machines
  7. electricity, machines, apparatus
  8. facial treatments with the aid of machines
  9. hair removal, tweezing, depilitators, waxing and their use
  10. professional makeup techniques, including eyelash extensions, tabs, strips
  11. product knowledge as it relates to esthetics

85

VI. Nail Technology

  1. fabric procedures
  2. sculpting procedures
  3. light-cured gels
  4. machines/apparatus used in nail technology
  5. manicures
  6. pedicures
  7. hand, arm, foot massage
  8. other procedures as they relate to nail technology
  9. product knowledge as it relates to nail technology

55

VII. Electives

35

TOTAL HOURS 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.

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.
  2. Core written and practical skill exams: 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 and barbering 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 and other items covered on the state cosmetology and barbering exam. Students must receive a grade of 75% or higher on all final exams.
  5. Clinic Practical Skill Assessments: Future Professionals progress in practical skill assessments and theory hours will be digitally monitored on a weekly basis by the Future Professional Advisor using the Course Key app. All assigned practical skill assessments must be completed in order to complete the program.
  6. Practical skills test (mock state board): Students must receive a 75% or higher grade on all final tests.

Cosmetology instructional Techniques and methods

The courses are provided through a sequential set of learning steps which address specific tasks necessary for State Board preparation, graduation and job entry level skills. Clinic equipment, implements and products are comparable to those used in the industry. Each student will receive instruction that relates to the performance of useful, creative and productive career oriented activities. The course is presented through well-developed lesson plans that reflect the latest educational methods. Subjects are presented by means of lecture, demonstration, and student participation. Audio-visual aids, guest speakers, field trips, and other related learning methods are used in the course.