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).
An Associate degree is granted upon successful completion of a program of study with
a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (C) in degree applicable coursework and
a minimum of 60 degree applicable semester units, including:
Completion of the area of emphasis with a grade of C or higher in each course, or
with a P if the course was taken on a Pass/No Pass basis, and the P is equal to a
C or higher;
Completion of one of the following general education patterns: SMC GE, CSU GE, or
IGETC;
Completion of the SMC Global Citizenship graduation requirement.
A Certificate of Achievement is granted upon successful completion of a program of
study with a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (C) and a designated minimum number of units, including:
Completion of the area of emphasis with a grade of C or higher in each course, or
with a P if the course was taken on a Pass/No Pass basis, and the P is equal to a
C or higher;
Completion of at least 50% of area of emphasis units 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.
Note: Department Certificates are not noted on student transcripts. Students must submit
a petition to the relevant academic department to be awarded a Department Certificate.
A student may satisfy the requirements of a degree that were in effect at any time
of the student’s continuous enrollment. Continuous enrollment means attendance in at least one semester (Fall
or Spring) in each academic year.
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(1)
COSM 10B,Related Science 1B(1)
COSM 20,Related Science 2(1)
COSM 30,Related Science 3(1)
COSM 50A,Written Preparation for Cosmetology State Board Exam(2)
Required Hair Cutting Courses:
COSM 11A,Hair Cutting 1(1)
COSM 21A,Hair Cutting 2(1)
COSM 42,Short Hair Cutting(1)
Required Hair Styling Courses:
COSM 11B,Hair Styling 1(1)
COSM 21B,Hair Styling 2(1)
Required Hair Coloring Courses:
COSM 11C,Hair Coloring 1(1)
COSM 21C,Hair Coloring 2(1)
Required Permanent Wave Course:
COSM 11D,Permanent Waving(1)
Required Curly Hair Technique Course:
COSM 21E,Curly Hair Techniques 2(1)
Required Nail Care Courses:
COSM 16,Nail Care 1(1)
COSM 26,Nail Care 2(1)
COSM 36,Nail Care 3(1)
Required Esthetician Courses:
COSM 18,Skin Care 1(1)
COSM 28A,Skin Care 2A(1)
COSM 28B,Skin Care 2B(1)
COSM 48B,Advanced Make-up(1)
Required Salon Management Course:
COSM 64,Salon Management(2)
Salon Experience Courses:
Theory and Practical Activity: In order to fulfill any outstanding required hours,
students must enroll in one or more of the following Salon courses (2 units minimum).
NOTE: Students may NOT enroll in any of the courses below until they have completed
at least 300 hours of practical activity AND have completed all of the following COSM
courses above: 10A, 10B, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E, 16, and 18.
COSM 95A,Salon Experience(1)
COSM 95B,Salon Experience(2)
COSM 95C,Salon Experience(3)
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(1)
COSM 10B,Related Science 1B(1)
COSM 20,Related Science 2(1)
COSM 30,Related Science 3(1)
COSM 50E,Written Preparation for Esthetician State Board Exam(1)
Required Esthetician Courses:
COSM 18,Skin Care 1(1)
COSM 28A,Skin Care 2A(1)
COSM 28B,Skin Care 2B(1)
COSM 38,Skin Care 3(1)
COSM 38B,Mechanical Exfoliation(1)
COSM 38C,Chemical Exfoliation(1)
COSM 48,Skin Care 4(1)
COSM 48B,Advanced Make-Up(1)
Required Salon Management Course:
COSM 64,Salon Management Theory(2)
Salon Experiences Courses:
Theory and Practical Activity: In order to fulfill any outstanding required hours,
students must enroll in 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 practical activity AND have completed all of the following COSM
courses above: 10A, 10B, and 18.
COSM 95A,Salon Experience(1)
COSM 95B,Salon Experience(2)
COSM 95C,Salon Experience(3)
COSM 95D,Salon Experience(4)
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(1)
COSM 10B,Related Science 1B(1)
COSM 20,Related Science 2(1)
COSM 50N,Written Preparation for Nail Care State Board Exam(1)
Required Nail Care Courses:
COSM 16,Nail Care 1(1)
COSM 26,Nail Care 2(1)
COSM 36,Nail Care 3(1)
COSM 46,Nail Care 4(1)
Required Salon Management Course:
COSM 64,Salon Management(2)
Salon Experience Courses:
Theory and Practical Activity: In order to fulfill any outstanding required hours,
students must enroll in 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 80 hours of practical activity AND have completed all of the following COSM
courses above: 10A, 10B, and 16.
COSM 95A,Salon Experience(1)
COSM 95B,Salon Experience(2)
COSM 95C,Salon Experience(3)
COSM 95D,Salon Experience(4)
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
