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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.

  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: 104


Program Courses

First Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
APLED112
Applied Mathematics   1
3
APLED113
Introduction to Computers for Technology   2
2
APLED121
Applied Written Communication   3
4
APLED123
Leadership Skills for Business and Industry   4
3
COS 101
Introduction to Cosmetology  
2
Total Credits
 
14

Second Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
COS 111
Cosmetology, Esthetics and Manicuring Concepts I  
5
COS 112
Cosmetology, Esthetics and Manicuring Applications I  
13
Total Credits
 
18

Third Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
COS 121
Intermediate Cosmetology Concepts I  
5
COS 122
Intermediate Cosmetology Applications I  
13
Total Credits
 
18

Fourth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
COS 131
Intermediate Cosmetology Concepts II  
5
COS 132
Intermediate Cosmetology Applications II  
13
Total Credits
 
18

Fifth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
COS 241
Advanced Cosmetology Concepts I  
5
COS 242
Advanced Cosmetology Applications I  
13
Total Credits
 
18

Sixth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
COS 251
Advanced Cosmetology Concepts II  
5
COS 252
Advanced Cosmetology Applications II   5
13
Total Credits
 
18

1 This course may be substituted with any generally transferable math course.
2 This course may be substituted with CIS 110
3 This course may be substituted with ENGL& 101, 102, 235, ENGL 238, or BT 272
4 This course may be substituted with BUS 280, CMST& 101, CMST 127 or CMST 287.
5 Up to 3 credits of COS 252 may be substituted with COS 288 with the permission of the instructor. Washington State Licensure requirements allow up to 10% of the students’ academic instruction to be met at an off–campus site.
6 COS 275 is available for students who have not accumulated enough hours to satisfy the Cosmetology AAS degree requirements.

Estimated costs for completing this program

 
WA Resident
Non-Resident
International
Tuition
$ 10,096
$ 11,827
$ 22,107
Books
$ 702
$ 702
$ 702
Course Fees
$ 4,567
$ 4,567
$ 4,567
Institutional Fees
$ 3,212
$ 3,212
$ 3,212
Total Costs
$ 18,576
$ 20,307
$ 30,587

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

APLED Distribution Area Outcomes

DTA Distribution Areas Distribution Area Outcomes APLED COURSES OUTCOME ASSESSMENT
Communication Prepare and present ideas (verbal and written) clearly, concisely, logically and effectively to communicate in a professional manner APLED 121 X
Create, organize, present and adapt effective verbal and nonverbal messages to diverse audiences in diverse contexts APLED 121 & 123 X
Access online research related to professional/technical industry topics APLED 121 & 123  
Demonstrate the ability to critically think: summarize, interpret and evaluate written discourse APLED 121  
Prepare and write business letters, memos and other documents using instructed technical format APLED 121 X
Utilize effective document design techniques to ensure numerical and/or technical data is easily accessible to audience APLED 121  
Appropriately use college-level language skills (i.e., grammar and punctuation) to draft, revise and edit writing assignments APLED 121  
Utilize effective communication to lead a group APLED 123  
Utilize appropriate conflict-management and problem-solving skills while leading or working within a group APLED 123  
Utilize appropriate customer-relations skills (for both internal and external customers) APLED 123  
Demonstrate effective listening and responding skills necessary to understand verbal and nonverbal information APLED 123  
Employment Readiness Analyze personal employment goals and articulate career objectives APLED 125 X
Assess professional skills as well as strengths and weaknesses APLED 125 X
Develop job search strategies (e.g. research sources of career information and employment opportunities, develop a professional network) APLED 125  
Demonstrate job interview skills (i.e. presentation skills and effective communication in an interview setting ) APLED 125  
Understand employment and leadership in a diverse workplace APLED 125  
Prepare an effective employment portfolio including a resume, cover letter and list of references APLED 125  
Math Apply mathematical concepts and principles to perform computations, as they apply to the student's chosen career APLED 112 X
Apply mathematics to solve problems within the student's program APLED 112  
Apply technology tools (to include calculators) to solve problems as they relate to the student's chosen program APLED 112  
Use mathematical concepts and techniques in solving practical and applied problems within the student's chosen program APLED 112  
Computer Literacy Apply skills and concepts for basic use of computer hardware, software and networks in the workplace and in future coursework APLED 113  
Effectively demonstrate and use the Windows operating system, PC and cloud file management systems APLED 113  
Effectively demonstrate the use of the school's learning management system APLED 113 X
Effectively demonstrate how to email and search the Internet APLED 113  
Effectively demonstrate and use word processing, spreadsheet and presentation softwares APLED 113 X
Use Microsoft Office programs to create personal, academic and business documents following current professional and industry standards APLED 113