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Cosmetology

Inspiration Salon and Spa Mission Statement

Delivering quality education while leading students in becoming the best versions of themselves.

If you have a passion for expressing your creativity daily, love people, and have the heart to make others feel and look great, starting here at Inspiration Salon and Spa at SCC is where you belong. You have a daily opportunity to help people feel beautiful. Making a difference in the lives of other people gives us a purpose. We believe serving others in our communities and mentoring students to have a servant's heart is necessary. When we have a purpose, we live healthier and happier lives.

We offer a 1600-hour modern and successful AAS (Associates of Applied Science) program that equips students to complete the Washington State Board Examination successfully. You will learn how to formulate unique color combinations, create haircut designs, and construct hairstyles for all textures. You will also learn different hair extension methods, barbering techniques, permanent wave techniques, and straightening/relaxing executions. There are allotments of time spent caring for natural nails and skin health. The curriculum also focuses on safety/infection control, chemistry, anatomy, and first aid related to cosmetology.

Our mission statement creates parameters for us to identify industry and student needs that encourage continual growth and updates to our curriculum. We coach each student toward their future salon/spa potential. We teach customer service, business skills, leadership, technical writing, computer literacy, and math concepts related to cosmetologists. Our salon allows students to hone hands-on techniques and learn new skills daily.

The program is six quarters (two years) and is a 1600-hour AAS degree. We offer four days per week of in-person classes with some mandatory online classes throughout the course. These options serve the students' many different learning needs and styles that take this program. This career path also has some physical requirements, including normal or corrected vision, physical dexterity (small grasp/straight line manipulation), and the ability to stand for long periods (4 hours). You must be able to follow written and verbal directions, as well as enjoy working with people.

Continuing Education 

Already a licensed cosmetologist, manicurist, esthetician, or barber? Checkout our cosmetology instructor trainee program through our Corporate & Continuing Education office. Students will earn the 500 hours required for the cosmetology instructor’s examination issued by the Washington State Board of Cosmetology. 

Cosmetology Instructor Trainee Program

  1. Demonstrate and formulate entry level haircutting techniques.
  2. Demonstrate and formulate entry level hair color techniques and practices.
  3. Demonstrate basic manicuring.
  4. Demonstrate basic skin care.
  5. Demonstrate and formulate entry level chemical texturizing services.
  6. Work with minimum supervision in a salon.
  7. Recognize the importance of, and practice good public relations with customers, employers, and fellow employees.
  8. Skillfully use tools and equipment safely and in a sanitary manner.
  9. Demonstrate the ability to successfully complete the state required practical examination for licensure.
  10. Demonstrate the ability to successfully complete the state required written examination for licensure.

Breaking Ground on Your Pathway


Plan Your Courses

Meet with our counselors to customize this plan just for you. You can also search the quarterly schedule for class days and times.

Placement

Math placement is not required for this program.
English placement is not required for this program.

Cosmetology is a diverse field that offers a variety of employment opportunities. SCC's Cosmetology program provides the education and training needed to successfully compete in today's job market. Upon successful completion of the 1,600-hour program, students are prepared to take the Washington State Examination of Cosmetology. After passing this exam, they will be qualified to receive a license for Cosmetology.

This program includes hair cutting, trimming of facial hair, hair styling, permanent waving, chemical relaxing, tinting and bleaching, and temporary superfluous hair removal; artificial hair; manicuring and pedicuring of natural nails; basic skincare and theory of diseases and disorders of the scalp, skin, hair, and nails; and anatomy as it relates to cosmetology. In addition, safety and sanitation measures are stressed throughout the program. Students also must complete a first aid class. Students will be given review testing and simulated performance evaluations in preparation for the state licensing examination.

Students must complete the program and pass the exit exams in order to be prepared to take the Washington State examination for Cosmetology.

Additional requirements for the AAS degree consist of general education requirements in the areas of written communication, human relations/leadership, and computation.  Students should check with the counseling department for assistance in planning their schedules.

Program Requirements:

  • Students must maintain a 2.0 in all professional classes to complete the program and pass exit exams with a minimum score of 2.0  to be prepared to take the Washington State Examination of Cosmetology; students must earn a 2.0 in all other classes.
  • Upon successful completion of the coursework, the student will be prepared to take the Washington State Examination of Cosmetology.
Physical Requirements:
  • Normal or corrected vision
  • Physical dexterity, i.e., small grasp manipulation
  • Must be able to work with arms at shoulder level for extended periods of time
  • Must be able to stand for extended periods of time

Program Map for

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Total Program Credits: 96


Program Courses

First Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
COS 101
Skin and Nail Concepts  
6
COS 102
Skin and Nails Applications  
10
Total Credits
 
16

Second Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
COS 111
Cosmetology Foundation Concepts  
6
COS 112
Cosmetology Foundation Applications  
10
Total Credits
 
16

Third Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
COS 121
Intermediate Cosmetology Concepts I  
6
COS 122
Intermediate Cosmetology Applications I  
10
Total Credits
 
16

Fourth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
COS 131
Intermediate Cosmetology Concepts II  
6
COS 132
Intermediate Cosmetology Applications II  
10
Total Credits
 
16

Fifth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
COS 241
Advanced Cosmetology Concepts I  
6
COS 242
Advanced Cosmetology Applications I  
10
Total Credits
 
16

Sixth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
COS 251
Advanced Cosmetology Concepts II  
6
COS 252
Advanced Cosmetology Applications II  
10
Total Credits
 
16

Estimated costs for completing this program

 
WA Resident
Non-Resident
International
Tuition
$ 10,261
$ 13,171
$ 23,007
Books
$ 492
$ 492
$ 492
Course Fees
$ 1,487
$ 1,487
$ 1,487
Institutional Fees
$ 672
$ 672
$ 3,195
Total Costs
$ 12,912
$ 15,822
$ 28,181

Costs for completing a degree or certificate can vary. For more information about costs, visit our How Much Does it Cost? page.

Have a question? Let's hear it.

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Request Info

Kim Rose

Pathway Specialist
Kim.Rose@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-8824

John Michel

Academic Counseling Liaison
John.Michel@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7034

Alaynah Hardesty

Workforce Transition Specialist
Alaynah.Hardesty@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7398

Sara Chesbrough

Cosmetology Instructor

Deanna Pixley

Department Co-Chair

Paula Anselmo

Department Co-Chair
Paula.Anselmo@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-8317