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SMC’s Cosmetology Department — an exciting place of color, shape, and beauty — offers the education students need to succeed in the cosmetology, skin care, and nail care industries. These well-established programs will prepare students for a career as a platform artist, educator, stylist, colorist, salon owner, sales representative, and makeup artist, as well as offer students the opportunity to work in the television and movie industries, or on cruise ships. This program prepares students to take the State board examination for a cosmetology license. Information regarding the cosmetology program is available in the Cosmetology Department, 310-434-4292, and through the SMC website (smc.edu).

Cosmetology, Associate Degree or Certificate of Achievement

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the program, students will be able to demonstrate professional level skill in her cutting, hair coloring, hair styling, nail care, and skin care. Additionally, the student will be proficient in health and safety procedures in common use in salons. Upon completion, the student will be eligible to take the California State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering licensure exam.

Area of Emphasis: (18 units)

Required Hours:

(1,000 hours minimum including the courses specified below)

Required Related Science Courses: 

COSM 10A,Related Science 1A( )
COSM 10B,Related Science 1B( )
COSM 20,Related Science 2( )
COSM 30,Related Science 3( )
COSM 50A,Written Preparation for Cosmetology State Board Exam( )

Required Hair Cutting Courses: 

COSM 11A,Hair Cutting 1( )
COSM 21A,Hair Cutting 2( )
COSM 42,Men’s Hair Styling( )

Required Hair Styling Courses: 

COSM 11B,Hair Styling 1( )
COSM 21B,Hair Styling 2( )

Required Hair Coloring Courses: 

COSM 11C,Hair Coloring 1( )
COSM 21C,Hair Coloring 2( )

Required Permanent Wave Course:

COSM 11D,Permanent Wave 1( )

Required Curly Hair Technique Course:

COSM 21E,Curly Hair Techniques 2( )

Required Nail Care Courses:

COSM 16,Nail Care 1( )
COSM 26,Nail Care 2( )
COSM 36,Nail Care 3( )

Required Esthetician Courses:

COSM 18,Skin Care 1( )
COSM 28,Skin Care 2A( )
COSM 28B,Skin Care 2B( )
COSM 48B,Advanced Make-up( )

Required Salon Management Course:

COSM 64,Salon Management( )

In order to fulfill required hours, operations, and/or units, select one or more of the following Salon courses: (1 unit minimum) NOTE: Students may NOT enroll in any of the courses below until they have completed at least 300 hours of practicum activity AND have completed all of the following Cosmetology courses: 10A, 10B, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E, 16, and 18.

Salon Experience Courses:

COSM 95A,Salon Experience( )
COSM 95B,Salon Experience( )
COSM 95C,Salon Experience( )

Esthetician, Certificate of Achievement

The esthetician program provides students with professional-level skill in client consultation, skin analysis, and manual, chemical, and electrical facials, as well as eyebrow shaping, waxing, the application of strip and individual eyelashes, and makeup application. Additionally, students will become proficient in health and safety procedures in common use in salons and spas. Upon completion, the student will be eligible to take the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering/ NIC Esthetician licensure exam.

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate entry-level proficiencies needed in a professional spa environment, including skin analysis, product application, massage, and waxing techniques required for specific skin types and skin conditions. Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of electrical modalities and chemical peels at a level applicable to enter the esthetic workplace, as well as pass their California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Esthetic examination.

Area of Emphasis: (12 units)

Required Hours: 

600 hours minimum including the courses specified below

Required Related Science Courses:

COSM 10A,Related Science 1A( )
COSM 10B,Related Science 1B( )
COSM 20,Related Science 2( )
COSM 30,Related Science 3( )
COSM 50E,Written Preparation for Esthetician State Board Exam( )

Required Esthetician Courses:

COSM 18,Skin Care 1( )
COSM 28A,Skin Care 2A( )
COSM 28B,Skin Care 2B( )
COSM 38,Skin Care 3( )
COSM 38B,Mechanical Exfoliation( )
COSM 38C,Chemical Exfoliation( )
COSM 48,Skin Care 4( )
COSM 48B,Advanced Make-Up( )

Required Salon Management Course:

COSM 64,Salon Management Theory( )

Theory and Practice Activity: In order to fulfill required hours, operations, and/or units, select one or more of the following Salon courses: (1 unit minimum) NOTE: Students may NOT enroll in any of the courses below until they have completed at least 90 hours of practicum activity AND have completed all of the following COSM courses: 10A, 10B, and 18.

Salon Experiences Courses:

COSM 95A,Salon Experience( )
COSM 95B,Salon Experience( )
COSM 95C,Salon Experience( )
COSM 95D,Salon Experience( )

Nail Care, Certificate of Achievement

The Nail Care program provides students with professional level skill in manicures, pedicures, nail tips, acrylics, gel nails, and 3-D nail art. Additionally, students will become proficient in health and safety procedures in common use in salons and spas. Upon completion, the student will be eligible to take the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering/NIC Manicure licensure exam.

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the Nail Care program, students will demonstrate professional-level skill in manicures, pedicures, nail tips, acrylics, gel nails, and 3-D nail art. Additionally, the student will be proficient in health and safety procedures in common use in salons and spas.

Area of Emphasis: (9 units)

Required Courses: 

400 hours minimum including the courses specified below

Required Related Science Courses:

COSM 10A,Related Science 1A( )
COSM 10B,Related Science 1B( )
COSM 20,Related Science 2( )
COSM 50N,Written Preparation for Nail Care State Board Exam( )

Required Nail Care Courses:

COSM 16,Nail Care 1( )
COSM 26,Nail Care 2( )
COSM 36,Nail Care 3( )
COSM 46,Nail Care 4( )

Required Salon Management Course:

COSM 64,Salon Management( )

Theory and Practical Activity: In order to fulfill required hours, operations, and/or units, select one or more of the following Salon courses: (1 unit minimum) (NOTE: Students may NOT enroll in any of the courses below until they have completed at least 90 hours of practicum activity AND have completed all of the following COSM courses: 10A, 10B, and 16.)

Salon Experience Courses:

COSM 95A,Salon Experience( )
COSM 95B,Salon Experience( )
COSM 95C,Salon Experience( )
COSM 95D,Salon Experience( )

Nail Care, Certificate of Achievement

The Nail Care program provides students with professional level skill in manicures, pedicures, nail tips, acrylics, gel nails, and 3-D nail art. Additionally, students will become proficient in health and safety procedures in common use in salons and spas. Upon completion, the student will be eligible to take the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering/NIC Manicure licensure exam.

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the Nail Care program, students will demonstrate professional-level skill in manicures, pedicures, nail tips, acrylics, gel nails, and 3-D nail art. Additionally, the student will be proficient in health and safety procedures in common use in salons and spas.

Area of Emphasis: (9 units)

Required Courses: 

400 hours minimum including the courses specified below

Required Related Science Courses:

COSM 10A,Related Science 1A( )
COSM 10B,Related Science 1B( )
COSM 20,Related Science 2( )
COSM 50N,Written Preparation for Nail Care State Board Exam( )

Required Nail Care Courses:

COSM 16,Nail Care 1( )
COSM 26,Nail Care 2( )
COSM 36,Nail Care 3( )
COSM 46,Nail Care 4( )

Required Salon Management Course:

COSM 64,Salon Management( )

Theory and Practical Activity: In order to fulfill required hours, operations, and/or units, select one or more of the following Salon courses: (1 unit minimum) (NOTE: Students may NOT enroll in any of the courses below until they have completed at least 90 hours of practicum activity AND have completed all of the following COSM courses: 10A, 10B, and 16.)

Salon Experience Courses:

COSM 95A,Salon Experience( )
COSM 95B,Salon Experience( )
COSM 95C,Salon Experience( )
COSM 95D,Salon Experience( )

Salon Business, Certificate of Achievement

*Students may complete the area of emphasis (major) requirements in effect at the time enrollment begins or the requirements in effect at graduation as long as continuous enrollment is maintained. *Continuous enrollment means attendance in at least one semester (Fall or Spring) in each academic year.

At least 50% of the units required for Department Certificates must be completed at Santa Monica College. Department Chairs have the discretion to waive the 50% minimum units required at SMC to meet the major or area of emphasis. All major coursework must be completed with a “C” or better grade.

A Department Certificate in Salon Business will aid cosmetologists, estheticians and manicurists in establishing and running their own business/salon.

Program Learning Outcomes: : Upon completion of the Salon Business Certificate, students will demonstrate an understanding of the key points for operating and supervising a salon/spa business. Students will be able to apply business principles to the salon and spa business.

Area of Emphasis: (14 units)

Required Courses: (11 units)

ACCTG 21,Business Bookkeeping(3)
BUS 34,Introduction to Social Media Marketing(3)
CIS 4,Business Information Systems with Applications(3)
COSM 64,Salon Management(2)

Select one course from the following:

BUS 1,Introduction to Business(3)
BUS 20,Principles of Marketing(3)
BUS 65,Management Principles(3)

Teacher Training (In Cosmetology)

This program is temporarily suspended. Many of the required classes are not being offered at this time. Students interested in this certificate program should