Cosmetology Course Information

Cosmetology Course description

Cosmetology: Standard Occupational Classification (SOC 39-5012.00)
Classification of Instructional Program (CIP 12.0401)

The curriculum involves 1500 hours to satisfy Illinois state requirements. The course includes extensive instruction and practical experience in cutting, hair coloring, perming, customer service, personal appearance and hygiene, personal motivation and development, retail skills, client record keeping, business ethics, sanitation, state laws and regulations, salon-type administration, and job interviewing.

*Graduates will be prepared to become an entry level cosmetologist.

This course is taught in English. Textbooks and course materials are only offered in the English Language.

Cosmetology Course Overview

Course Hours: 1500 clock hours

The course is divided into pre-clinical classroom instruction and clinical service learning experiences.

1. Pre-clinical Classroom Instruction: The first 210 hours are devoted to classroom workshops where students learn design principles, technical information, and professional practices.
2. Clinic Classroom Learning Experience: The remaining 1290 hours are spent in the clinic area where practical experience is gained.
3. Distance Education Learning Experience: Students enrolled in the program with distance education will complete a portion of their education through online learning.

Cosmetology Course Outline

Your time at Paul Mitchell The School Normal for the cosmetology program will be divided into six (6) designations:

1. Core Curriculum: A 210 hour orientation, known as the Core program, instills the basic fundamentals. Students are graded and evaluated using written, oral, and practical testing methods. Students must successfully complete the Core curriculum prior to attending regularly scheduled daily classes in cutting, coloring, permanent waving, and chemical texture services.
2. Protégé Experience: Your experience as a Protégé produces a smooth transition from Core student to Adaptive student. You spend 15 days as a Protégé preparing you for the clinic experience.
3. Clinic Classroom Learning Experience: Your clinic classroom time from 315 to 1500 hours will be guided with individual attention and group learning experiences using mini-classes, monthly worksheets, and periodic evaluations developed specifically for this monitoring progress. This is when you begin experiencing your clinic classroom education on paying clients in the clinic classroom area.
4. Classroom Learning Experience: Your classroom time from 315 to 1500 hours is divided into six (6) areas: cutting, coloring, texture, makeup, skin, and nails. Each area has an instructor who conducts the different specialty classes each week; Classroom Learning Experiences may also include retail, motivation, self improvement, professional development, and attendance education which may be conducted by an instructor, non-licensed staff member or guest artist.
5. Adaptive Curriculum: From 315 to 750 hours you will enter a new phase of elective classroom workshops coupled with challenging practical services designed to continue building you into a confident designer.
6. Creative Curriculum: You will spend your last 750 hours at Paul Mitchell The School Normal in “high gear” by dressing, acting, and working like a true professional. You will use your own artistic and creative abilities, coupled with the assistance of the Learning Leaders, to prepare yourself for your future beauty industry career.

Cosmetology Course Subjects

The instructional program of Paul Mitchell The School Normal meets or exceeds the state requirements. 

The institution offers employment assistance to help graduates’ efforts to secure education-related employment that includes, but is not limited to training in professionalism, resume’ development, job interview preparation and job search skills. 

Cosmetology Program Testing and Grading Procedure

The following tests and grading procedures are used to assess student learning and mastery of course content in the 1500-hour course:

1. Academic theory exams: Students must receive a grade of 70% or higher on each assigned theory exam. 
2. Core written and practical skills evaluation: Students must receive a grade of 70% or higher on each written exam and each practical skill exam in order to complete the Core program. The exams are an overview of instruction taught during the Core schedule. All Core written and practical skill exams must be passed with a 70% in order to transition to the Clinic Classroom. If students are unable to pass each exam after two attempts, the student may be asked to withdraw from the program and re-enroll in the next available Core class start date. 
3. Final exam 1:This test covers an overview of all related cosmetology subjects (e.g., anatomy, chemistry, etc.). Students must receive a grade of 75% or higher on all final exams. 
4. Final exam 2:The written exam covers an overview of all theory instruction, Illinois state law, and other items covered on the state cosmetology exam. Students must receive a grade of 75% or higher on all final exams. 
5. Clinic Practical Skill Assessments: Future Professionals progress in practical skill assessments and theory hours will be digitally monitored on a weekly basis by the Future Professional Advisor using the Course Key app. All assigned practical skill assessments must be completed in order to complete the program.
6. Practical skills test (mock state board): Students must receive a 75% or higher grade on all final tests.