Cosmetology

Programs > School of Spa & Cosmetology Arts > Cosmetology

girl performing hair service on a client

Laurel's Cosmetology program allows students to learn the basic fundamentals and the related subjects of hair, skin, and nail care and that are necessary for a well-rounded education. Our licensed instructors teach both theoretical and practical applications.

You will learn all aspects of:

Hair styling
Hair cutting
Hair coloring
Manicuring
Pedicures
Artificial nails and artistry
Skin care and makeup

Our students will have the opportunity for supervised practice in the school's full-service cosmetology clinic.

For Pennsylvania students, you must complete 1,250 hours of instruction AND have successful completion of the Cosmetology program. Graduates must then must take and pass the licensure examination through the Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology in order to practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

For West Virginia students, you must complete 1,835 hours of instruction AND have successful completion of the Cosmetology program. Graduates must then must take and pass the licensure examination through the West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists in order to practice in the state of West Virginia.

A potential student wanting to enroll in the WV Cosmetology program will not be permitted to enter any class for study or be given credit for any work done in the school prior to the time his or her permit has been received from the WV Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists. Some programs may require relocation, licensure, and/or certification for employment in some positions.

	(PA) Cosmetology, 12-month program
	Hair Shaping I This course is designed to provide the student with the basic knowledge in the principles of hair design, client consultation, professional terminology, and basic cutting techniques.
	Hair Shaping II This course is designed to provide the student with the knowledge needed to perform various hair shaping techniques. The course will cover a variety of services, including men’s hair cutting, the bob, the bi-level haircut, the ponytail cut, asymmetrical cut, complete salon looks, various haircuts with the razor, thinning and blending shear techniques, and state board hair shaping services.
	Chemical Texture Services This course is designed to provide the student with the knowledge needed to perform a chemical texture service. The course will cover a variety of topics, including the history of permanent waving, professional terminology, the chemical reactions of solutions and neutralizers, various perm wraps, and testing procedures.
	Manicuring, Pedicuring & Nail Design This course is designed to provide the student with the advanced knowledge in manicuring, pedicuring, and nail design procedures. The course will cover a variety of topics and services including salon conduct, sanitation and disinfection, infection control, nail structure and growth, nail diseases and disorders, manicuring, pedicuring, advanced nail techniques.
	Hair Structure and Chemistry This course is designed to provide the student with the basic knowledge needed in trichology, shampooing, rinsing and conditioning and in scalp and hair.
	Hair Coloring I This course is designed to provide the student with the basic knowledge of color formulation. The course will cover a variety of topics, including color evaluations, natural and desired levels, color wheel, neutralizing colors, level to base system, in-depth client consultations, de-colorization, seven stages of lightening, effects of artificial heat on bleach, corrective color and color removers.
	Hair Coloring II This course is designed to provide the student with the basic knowledge of color formulation. The course will cover a variety of topics, including color evaluations, natural and desired levels, color wheel, neutralizing colors, level to base system, in-depth client consultations, de-colorization, seven stages of lightening, effects of artificial heat on bleach, corrective color and color removers.
	Cosmetology Science Theory This course is designed to provide the student with the knowledge needed to practice the science of cosmetology safely. The course will cover a variety of subjects including infection control, bacteriology, anatomy and physiology, the various systems, and the basics of chemistry and electricity.
	Salon Retailing and Clinic Prep This course is designed to provide the student with the basic knowledge in salon retailing and clinic preparation. The course will cover a variety of topics including salon advertising, product knowledge, life skills, your professional image, communicating for success, clinic procedures, and general rules and regulations for clinic, professional practices, the salon business, seeking employment, on the job, and on the job essay.
	Hair Styling I This course is designed to provide the student with the knowledge needed to accomplish various styling techniques. The course will cover a variety of topics, including finger waves and pin curls to learn manual dexterity, various wet setting techniques, the use of the blow dryer and curling iron, product knowledge, and the principles of hair design.
	Hair Styling II This course is designed to provide the student with the knowledge needed to accomplish various styling techniques. The course will cover a variety of topics, including principles of hair design, braiding and braid extensions, wigs and wig enhancements, long hair designs including hair twisting and knotting and using hair styling aides and accessories.
	Ethnic Hair Studies This course is designed to provide the student with the basic knowledge in thermal hair straightening and curling (press & curl). The course will cover a variety of services, including: the types of hair pressing, proper analysis of hair and scalp, proper cleaning of the pressing combs, the “true” Marcel iron, client record card, chemical hair relaxers, and soft curl permanents (curl re-forming). This course will cover various types of cornrows and hair extension adding and removing, how to deal with clients that you have or have had immediate physical damage or non- immediate physical damage.
	Esthetics & Histology This course is designed to provide the student with the basic knowledge needed in esthetics, hair removal and makeup procedures. The course will cover a variety of services, including histology of the skin, hair removal, facials and facial massages, electrotherapy and light therapy facial treatments, state board procedures, and various makeup applications.
	State Board Laws & Theory This course is designed to provide the student with the knowledge needed to prepare them for the theoretical portion of the Pennsylvania state board of cosmetology theory exam. The course will cover general provisions, individual licenses, examinations, display, loss and renewal of licenses and permits, licensure and management of salons, physical requirements of the beauty salon, activities outside a salon, health and safety in salons, licensure and administration of schools of cosmetology, preparation by apprenticeship method, cosmetology law act 99 and penalties and fees.
	Advanced Techniques This course is designed to provide the student with the knowledge needed to perform various hair shaping, hair coloring and hair styling techniques. The course will cover a variety of services, including men’s hair cutting with beards, black textured hair, the wedge-weight line, the pixie, tension cutting, and variations of the bob, combination cutting, and corrective cutting followed by variations of hair coloring applications including hair lightening and foil placement techniques. Styling will also be included in this course to create the finished look following the hair shaping and hair coloring.
	Clinic This course is designed to provide the student with the knowledge to operate in a salon atmosphere. The course will cover a variety of topics, including all hair, nail, and facial services dealing with cosmetology, product knowledge, professionalism, and salon retailing. All work will be done under the supervision of an instructor.

Course List

	(WV) Cosmetology, 14-month program
	Hair Shaping I This course is designed to provide the student with the basic knowledge in the principles of hair design, client consultation, professional terminology, and basic cutting techniques.
	Hair Shaping II This course is designed to provide the student with the knowledge needed to perform various hair shaping techniques. The course will cover a variety of services, including men’s hair cutting, the bob, the bi-level haircut, the ponytail cut, asymmetrical cut, complete salon looks, various haircuts with the razor, thinning and blending shear techniques, and state board hair shaping services.
	Chemical Texture Services This course is designed to provide the student with the knowledge needed to perform a chemical texture service. The course will cover a variety of topics, including the history of permanent waving, professional terminology, the chemical reactions of solutions and neutralizers, various perm wraps, and testing procedures.
	Professional Development in Cosmetology This course is designed to provide the student with the basic knowledge in professional development, effective communication, and human relations as it relates to cosmetology. The course will cover a variety of topics including business management and ownership, life skills, your professional image, communicating for success, professional practices, types of salon businesses, and seeking employment.
	Wigs, Braiding & Hair Additions This course will cover understanding human vs. synthetic wigs and hair, including the advantages and disadvantages of each. Students will learn proper technique in wig measurement, application of the wig, as well as cleansing, cutting, and styling wigs. Students will learn the basics of braiding as well as advanced braiding such as rope braids, fishtail braids, invisible braids, single braids with and without hair additions, and cornrows. Students will be taught to add and remove hair additions.
	Hair Coloring I This course is designed to provide the student with the basic knowledge of color formulation. The course will cover a variety of topics, including color evaluations, natural and desired levels, color wheel, neutralizing colors, level to base system, in-depth client consultations, de-colorization, seven stages of lightening, effects of artificial heat on bleach, corrective color and color removers.
	Hair Coloring II This course is designed to provide the student with the basic knowledge of color formulation. The course will cover a variety of topics, including color evaluations, natural and desired levels, color wheel, neutralizing colors, level to base system, in-depth client consultations, de-colorization, seven stages of lightening, effects of artificial heat on bleach, corrective color and color removers.
	Cosmetology Science I This course is designed to provide the student with the knowledge needed to practice the science of cosmetology safely. The course will cover a variety of subjects including infection control, bacteriology, anatomy and physiology, the various systems, and the basics of chemistry and electricity.
	Cosmetology Science II This course is designed to provide the student with the basic knowledge in salon retailing and clinic preparation. The course will cover a variety of topics including salon advertising, product knowledge, life skills, your professional image, communicating for success, clinic procedures, and general rules and regulations for clinic, professional practices, the salon business, seeking employment, on the job, and on the job essay.
	Hair Styling I This course is designed to provide the student with the knowledge needed to accomplish various styling techniques. The course will cover a variety of topics, including finger waves and pin curls to learn manual dexterity, various wet setting techniques, the use of the blow dryer and curling iron, product knowledge, and the principles of hair design.
	Hair Styling II This course is designed to provide the student with the knowledge needed to accomplish various styling techniques. The course will cover a variety of topics, including principles of hair design, braiding and braid extensions, wigs and wig enhancements, long hair designs including hair twisting and knotting and using hair styling aides and accessories.
	The Science of Esthetics & Skin Care This course is designed to provide the student with the basic knowledge needed in Esthetics involving the histology of the skin. This course will also cover a variety of services including skin analysis, client consultations, skin care products, facial equipment, facial massage, histology of the skin, electrotherapy and light therapy facial treatments, state board procedures, and various make up applications such as basic make-up applications, special occasion, and corrective make-up applications. Application of artificial eyelashes will also be included as well as both temporary and permanent hair removal.
	The Science of Nail Technology This course is designed to provide the student with the advanced knowledge in manicuring, pedicuring, and nail design procedures. The course will cover a variety of topics and services including nail structure and growth, nail diseases and disorders, basic manicuring and massage for women and men, pedicuring and advanced nail techniques such as nail art, nail tips and wraps, monomer liquids and polymer powder nail enhancements as well as UV gels.
	State Board Laws & Theory This course is designed to provide the student with the knowledge needed to prepare them for the theoretical portion of the Pennsylvania state board of cosmetology theory exam. The course will cover general provisions, individual licenses, examinations, display, loss and renewal of licenses and permits, licensure and management of salons, physical requirements of the beauty salon, activities outside a salon, health and safety in salons, licensure and administration of schools of cosmetology, preparation by apprenticeship method, cosmetology law act 99 and penalties and fees.
	Principles of Hair Care & Design This course is designed to provide the student with the basic knowledge of trichology as well as hair-brushing and understanding shampoos, conditioners, draping procedures, and principles and elements of hair design. The course will include the philosophy of hair design, elements and principles of hair design, as well as the influence of hair types on a hairstyle. Creating harmony between a hairstyle and various facial structures will also be included. Designing for men will be included in this course as well as draping procedures and pre-service procedures such as cleaning and disinfecting, basic station set-up, stylist preparations, greeting the client, advising and promotion of products, scheduling the next appointment and preparing the work area for the next client.
	Clinic This course is designed to provide the student with the knowledge to operate in a salon atmosphere. The course will cover a variety of topics, including all hair, nail, and facial services dealing with cosmetology, product knowledge, professionalism, and salon retailing. All work will be done under the supervision of an instructor.

Cosmetology Science Theory I / II
Hair Shaping I / II
Hairstyling I / II
Hair Coloring I / II
Chemical Texture Services
Principles of Hair Care & Design
Wigs, Braiding & Hair Additions
The Science of Esthetics & Skin Care
The Science of Nail Technology
Clinic I / II / III
State Board Practicum
State Board Laws & Theory

Use these quick links to read more about some of the ways Laurel incorporates experiential education in our programs!

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Student
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Immersive Learning
Technology

Bright Outlook Occupation: Cosmetology

Laurel encourages all prospective students to fully research employment opportunities when choosing a program of study. Please click the links below to learn more

The U.S. Department of Labor and the National Center for O*NET Development published a list of “Bright Outlook Occupations*,” which allows individuals to view and research popular, in-demand occupations in a specific field of study. Laurel is dedicated to preparing students and graduates for those “bright” employment and career opportunities and helping our local employers find their perfect candidates. Bright Outlook Occupations are jobs that are expected to grow rapidly in the next several years, are predicted to have a large number of job openings, and include new and emerging occupations in high-growth industries!