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Allied Health and Public Service

Allied Health and Public Service

Mar 29
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Apr 8
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Cosmetology

The Cosmetology Program is designed to give students thorough training in the arts, skills, and applied sciences that deal with the adornment through care and treatment of the hair, nails, and skin.

The field of Cosmetology offers various advantages to men and women in all localities, large and small. The time needed for preparation is considerably less than for many other occupations. Cosmetology offers certain personal satisfactions involving judgment and creative ability, which makes it attractive to people with artistic flair.

Cosmetology Brochure (PDF)

Employment Opportunities

The earnings in beauty occupations vary widely. Salaries for Cosmetologists depend on such factors as experience, speed of performance, quality of work, enthusiasm, skill, and the ability to build and keep a good clientele. Cosmetologists are often paid a basic wage plus a commission, commission only, or booth rent. This varies with the type of salon and its location.

Career Opportunities

  • Cosmetologist                                                           
  • Salon Owner
  • Salon or Spa Manager
  • Manicurist/Pedicurist/Nail Technician
  • Hairstylist/Designer
  • Sales Representative/Specialist
  • Brow Artist
  • Makeup Artist
  • Image/Fashion Consultant
  • Platform Artist
  • Esthetician

Career Employment Opportunities

  • Salons/Spas
  • Theatrical Sets
  • Wedding Venues
  • Photography Studios
  • Cruise Ships/Resorts
  • TV/Media
  • Modeling Sets
  • Funeral Homes
  • Health/Wellness Agencies
  • Dermatologist/Plastic Surgeons/ Medical Spas

Cosmetology Degree Program
Associate in Applied Science toward a degree in Cosmetology

The Cosmetology Degree Program meets the standards of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation in terms of total hours, teaching staff, equipment, facilities, library, and course content.

The minimum general education component for the Associate in Applied Science degree requires satisfactory completion of at least 15 semester credits of coursework distributed over the disciplines of Communications, Mathematics, Arts and Humanities, Physical and Life Sciences, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. The curriculum guide for each Associate in Applied Science degree program will spell out the course requirements or options available for satisfying the general education component.

Graduates are prepared for licensure by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation-Division of Professional Regulation, State of Illinois, upon passing the Illinois Cosmetology examination. This qualifies the graduate for employment and an Associate in Applied Science degree.

Program Guide for Cosmetology – Associate in Applied Science

Cosmetology Certificate Program

The Cosmetology Certificate Program offers a three-semester program that meets the standards of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation in terms of total hours, teaching staff, equipment, facilities, library, and course content.

The Lab course includes demonstrations and lectures by instructors with student participation and application of beauty services which include finger waving, hairstyling, application of permanent waving, hair coloring, superfluous hair removal, basic make-up application, and demonstrates how to achieve basic skill areas in shampooing, draping, brushing, thermal waving, blow drying, and hair shaping. Students will exchange beauty services with each other and will perform beauty skills on patrons in the clinic laboratory. Each student is responsible for sanitation duties to be performed in the clinic as required by the Department of Professional Regulation, State of Illinois.

The Theory course is a study of professional ethics, personal hygiene and grooming, visual poise, and personality development for application in our daily relationships with others. The study of bacteriology, decontamination, and infection control for application of safe and necessary disinfection methods is emphasized. Also included is the study of hair, skin, and their disorders for use in chemical and physical applications. The basic introduction of anatomy and physiology to be applied in specific skill areas will also be emphasized.

A minimum of 1500 clock hours and 40 college credit hours prepares the graduate for licensure by the Illinois State Board of Cosmetology and qualifies the graduate for employment. Students must maintain a “C” in all cosmetology courses.

Graduates are prepared for licensure by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation-Division of Professional Regulations, State of Illinois, upon passing the Illinois Cosmetology examination.

Program Guide for Cosmetology – Certificate

Certificate in Cosmetology Teacher Program

The Cosmetology Certificate (00COS0056) is the parent program to: • Cosmetology Teacher Program Certificate (00COS0057)

Prerequisite: Must have a valid Illinois cosmetology license with a minimum of 2 years full-time work experience within the last 5 years. Letters from clients, managers, etc., verifying 2 years’ experience.

Courses are taught on an independent basis and can be taken in either the fall or spring semester.

Career Opportunities: Cosmetology teacher in the state of Illinois with the opportunity for reciprocity in other states in equal agreement.

Program Guide for Cosmetology Teacher – Certificate

COS 260 Cosmetology Review

This course is designed as a refresher course for cosmetologists who need to renew their license or simply update their skills. This program is a compilation of topics covering the pertinent objectives necessary for the learner to accomplish in order to enter the work force. This course is offered in (Spring Only), it is an optional refresher course to meet IDFPR licensure requirements.