The pathway below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program. Individual circumstances might require some changes to this pathway. It is always recommended that you meet with an academic counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.
The courses have been intentionally placed and should be prioritized in
the order
in which they appear. If you are unable to take all the courses in
a semester, you
should prioritize enrolling in the courses in the order below.
Some courses have
been noted as “Appropriate for Intersession” 
. Should you need (or want) to take
classes
in the summer and/or winter intersessions,
the program recommends these courses as appropriate for the condensed
schedule of
the intersessions.
Some pathways combine a “Certificate of Achievement” and an “Associate
Degree”. If
you are pursuing only the Certificate of Achievement, you are only
required to take
the courses marked “Program Requirement” 
.
All pathways include at least one “Gateway Course” 
which introduces you to the program and/or field of study and helps you
decide if you want to continue with this Academic and Career Path.
Most Associate degrees (though not Associate Degrees for Transfer)
require satisfying the SMC Global Citizenship requirement. If the Program
Requirements do not include a “Global Citizenship course” 
, be sure to select a General Education course that also satisfies Global Citizenship.
The Cosmetology Department is an exciting place to learn about the barbering industry. We welcome you to join our program where you can obtain the practical and technical skills necessary for optimal success. The classrooms are similar to a salon/barbershop atmosphere, with the latest technology creating a positive learning environment for students. Students will have the opportunity to provide services for members of the community, students, faculty and staff of Santa Monica College, including family and friends.
This well-established department will prepare you for a barbering license from the California State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. After successful completion of the program and passing the state board exam, a career in barbering offers multiple employment and entrepreneurial opportunities, such as: platform artist, educator, barber, colorist, salon owner, sales representative, cruise ships, television and film industries.
Information regarding the barbering program is available at the Cosmetology Department, (310) 434-4294, and through the SMC website (www.smc.edu).
Upon completion of the program, students will:
- Upon completion of the program, the student will be able to demonstrate entry level skills in hair cutting, hair coloring, hair styling, shaving with a razor, men’s styling and chemical texture.
- Upon completion, the student will be eligible to take the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology licensure exam.
- The student will be able to recognize and demonstrate the importance of and practice of ethical behavior in a professional work setting.
- Apply theories, principles, and concepts of skills learned that apply to Barbering and follow the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Rules and Regulations.
Icon Key
-
Gateway Course
-
Program Requirement
-
General Education -
Appropriate for
Intersession
-
Available Online -
Global Citizenship
Semester 1 (First 8 weeks)
9 Units
This course provides essential theory carefully formulated to prepare a student to pass the written Barbering, Cosmetology, Esthetics, and/or Nail Care State Board Examinations. Basic concepts of bacteriology, sanitation, health and safety, and physiology pertaining to the head, face, hands and arms, are included in this course.
This course provides essential theory carefully formulated to prepare a student to pass the written Barbering, Cosmetology, Esthetics, and/or Nail Care State Board Examinations. Concepts of the State Board of Cosmetology Act and Regulations will be included as well as health and safety.
This is the first hair cutting class required for all students who wish to be licensed for Barbering, Cosmetology or Hair Stylist by the State of California. This course is designed to teach beginning students how to effectively and properly describe and demonstrate the basic techniques of hair cutting to create a variety of hair designs which will include a 0-elevation-one-length hair cut, a face framing haircut, a 180 degree long layered hair cut and a 90 degree hair cut and how to properly setup and maintain a Sanitary Maintenance Area necessary for all tools used.
This is the first hairstyling class required for all entering students who wish to be licensed for Barbering, Cosmetology, and/or Hairstylist by the State of California. The theoretical and practical components of this course include instructions on wet and thermal hairstyling. The students will learn the basics of hairstyling including the techniques of thermal, rollers, pin curls, and finger waving. Students will be able to describe and demonstrate the basic fundamentals of historical hairstyling in accordance to the State Board of Barbering and/or Cosmetology.
This is the first hair coloring class required for all entering students who wish to be licensed for Barbering and/or Cosmetology by the State Board of California. This course is an introduction to the theoretical, practical principles, and practice of hair coloring techniques, safety, chemistry as it relates to hair coloring and proper use of tools. Students will learn how to apply a patch test, strand test, temporary, semi-permanent, demi permanent, permanent hair coloring, virgin tint, hair retouch, frosting, and weaving techniques.
This permanent wave class is required all entering students who wish to be licensed for Barbering and/or Cosmetology by the state of California. This course is designed to educate the students on permanent waving techniques and applications. It will provide a complete foundation for all permanent wave procedures. This class will enable the students to pass the California State Board of Barbering and/or Cosmetology exam.
This course provides an exploration of intellectual, psychological, social and physical factors that impact lifelong learning, well-being and success. Topics include motivation and self-efficacy; critical thinking, academic integrity and active study strategies; health issues and lifestyle choices; relating to others as a global citizen; written and oral communication; time management; career exploration; and educational planning.
NOTE: can be taken in 16 week format
- E - Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development
Semester 1 (Second 8 weeks)
6 Units
This class is required for all entering students who wish to be licensed for Barbering, Cosmetology, Esthetics, and/or Nail Care by the state of California. This course provides essential theory carefully formulated to prepare a student to pass the written State Board examination. Students are instructed in the basic concepts of health, safety and related chemistry.
This is the second hair cutting class required for all entering students who wish to be licensed for Cosmetology, Barbering or Hairstylist by the State of California. This course is the continuation of Cosmetology 11A. The students will learn advanced techniques of haircutting with the use of different types of cutting tools.
- Prerequisite: COSM 11A
This is the second hair styling class required for all entering students who wish to be licensed for Barbering, Cosmetology and/or Hairstylist by the State board of California. This course is a continuation of Cosmetology 11B. Students will learn advanced hairstyling theoretical and practical techniques, including the proper use of the blow drier and electric curling iron.
- Prerequisite: COSM 11B
This is the second hair coloring class required for students who wish to be licensed for Barbering or Cosmetology in the State of California. The student will learn how color affects our lives. Students will expand their knowledge of hair colors, including henna, tints, and bleaches. The class provides hair color theory and hands-on workshops in hair color applications, including highlighting with foils. This class offers a complete foundation for color and bleaching procedures.
- Prerequisite: COSM 11C
This class is required for all students who wish to be licensed for Barbering and/or Cosmetology by the State of California. This course is a class in curly hair care. Students will learn chemical and thermal hair straightening, soft perm techniques using the basic manipulative skills and proper application of thermal hair processing, curling, and chemical relaxing for excessively curly hair.
- Advisory: COSM 11E
This class is required for all students who wish to be licensed for Barbering, Cosmetology or Hair Styling by the State of California. This class is designed to teach how to effectively and properly describe and demonstrate the many techniques of designing short hair, which will include wet and dry hair cuts, finger cutting techniques, scissors over comb hair cutting, clipper over comb hair cutting, beard trims, mustache and eyebrow shaping, blow drying and how to properly setup and maintain a Sanitary Maintenance Area necessary for all tools used.
- Prerequisite: COSM 11A
Semester 2 (First 8 weeks)
9 Units
This is the third related science class required for all entering students who wish to be licensed for Barbering, Cosmetology, and/or Esthetics for the state of California. This course provides essential theory carefully formulated to prepare a student to pass the written State Board examination. Students are instructed in basic concepts of electricity (galvanic/sinusoidal), sanitation and disinfectant techniques.
This is an advanced course for any student who wishes to be licensed for Barbering, Cosmetology and Hairstylist by the state of California. Students will learn leading edge industry trends as well as advanced techniques for customizing a haircut.
- Advisory: COSM 21A
- Prerequisite: COSM 11A
This is an advanced hair coloring class for students who wish to be licensed for Barbering or Cosmetology by the State of California. This course is a continuation of COSM 21C. Based on client consultation, the students will learn how to formulate colors to achieve the desired results. Students will learn about bleaching products, color applications, procedures, and advanced hair color and foil techniques.
- Prerequisite: COSM 11C
This is an advanced curly hair styling class for all entering students who wish to be licensed for Barbering and/or Cosmetology by the state of California. This course is a continuation of Cosmetology 21E. The student will learn wet and thermal styling, pressing and curling, sewing tracks, closures, crochet weave, and other techniques.
- Advisory: COSM 21E
- Prerequisite: COSM 11B
This course provides the training required for the barbering license by the state of California. This course includes facial hair design, shaving, health and safety procedures associated with salons and barbershops.
- Prerequisite: Completion of a cosmetology program or possession of a cosmetology license or
- Prerequisite: COSM 11A or
This introductory course in rhetoric emphasizes clear, effective written communication and preparation of the research paper.
This can be taken as a full (16 week) semester course
- Prerequisite: ENGL 21B or
- Prerequisite: ENGL 22
- Prerequisite: ESL 19B or
- Prerequisite: Group A on the Placement Test
- 1A: English Composition
- A2 - Written Communication
- Area IV-A: Language and Rationality (Group A)
Semester 2 (Second 8 weeks)
6-9 Units
This course presents an opportunity for a student/licensee to learn clientele building, choosing the right salon, types of leases and rent agreements, business permits, how to handle supplies, labor related laws, and key points for operating a salon, as well as how to write a resume. This course provides essential theory carefully formulated to prepare a student to pass the written Barbering, Cosmetology, Esthetics, and/or Nail Care State Board Examinations.
This course is required for the barbering license of the state of California. This course will prepare students for licensure with an emphasis on advanced shaving techniques, health and safety and disinfection.
- Prerequisite: COSM 11A or
- Prerequisite: Completion of a cosmetology program or possession of a cosmetology license. or
This course is designed to prepare students for the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) exam required to obtain a barbering license. The course covers all topics in the written exam, including: disinfection, sanitation, health and safety, rules and regulations, bacteriology, anatomy, and physiology, advanced shaving and facial hair design, men's hair cutting and styling, men's chemical services and men's facial massage and treatments.
- Prerequisite: Possession of a cosmetology license or
- Prerequisite: COSM 31A and
- Prerequisite: COSM 50A and
- Prerequisite: Completion of 1,250 hours in barbering coursework
This variable unit, variable hour, open-entry/open-exit experience provides the opportunity to obtain practical salon training working on patrons. The practical work is as close to actual beauty salon experience as possible. Students will earn hours toward the required practical hours and operations to be eligible to take the California State Board of Barbering, Cosmetology, Esthetics, and/or Nail Care exam under the supervision of faculty. The student has fulfilled the salon requirement upon completion of 650-700 hours and has successfully demonstrated all required operations.
- Prerequisite: Completion of all beginning courses. Cosmetology students must have completed at least 300 classroom hours; Skin Care students must have completed 60 classroom hours; Nail Care students must have completed 40 classroom hours.
This course is a module of a variable unit, variable hour, open-entry/open-exit experience provides the opportunity to obtain practical salon training working on patrons. The practical work is as close to actual beauty salon experience as possible. Students will earn hours toward the required practical hours and operations to be eligible to take the California State Board of Barbering, Cosmetology, Esthetics, and/or Nail Care exam, under the supervision of faculty. The student has fulfilled the salon requirement upon completion of 650-700 hours and has successful demonstration of all required operations.
- Prerequisite: Completion of all beginning courses. Cosmetology students must have completed at least 300 classroom hours; Skin Care students must have completed 60 classroom hours; Nail Care students must have completed 40 classroom hours.
This variable unit, variable hour, open-entry/open-exit experience provides the opportunity to obtain practical salon training working on patrons. The practical work is as close to actual beauty salon experience as possible. Students will earn hours toward the required practical hours and operations to be eligible to take the California State Board of Barbering, Cosmetology, Esthetics, and/or Nail Care exam under the supervision of faculty. The student has fulfilled the salon requirement upon completion of 650-700 hours and has successfully demonstrated all required operations.
- Prerequisite: Completion of all beginning courses. Cosmetology students must have completed at least 300 classroom hours; Skin Care students must have completed 60 classroom hours; Nail Care students must have completed 40 classroom hours.
This variable unit, variable hour, open-entry/open-exit experience provides the opportunity to obtain practical salon training working on patrons. The practical work is as close to actual beauty salon experience as possible. Students will earn hours toward the required practical hours and operations to be eligible to take the California State Board of Barbering, Cosmetology, Esthetics, and/or Nail Care exam under the supervision of faculty. The student has fulfilled the salon requirement upon completion of 650-700 hours and has successfully demonstrated all required operations.
- Prerequisite: Completion of all beginning courses. Cosmetology students must have completed at least 300 classroom hours; Skin Care students must have completed 60 classroom hours; Nail Care students must have completed 40 classroom hours.
Semester 3
15 Units
ENGL 2 recommended for transfer options
See the full list: SMC GE Area III Course
SMC GE Area IV-B Course 3 units
SMC GE Area II-A Course 3 units
Elective Course(s) 3 units
Elective Course(s) 3 units
Semester 4
15 Units