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 of color, shape and beauty. We welcome you to join our program where you can obtain the education you need to succeed in the cosmetology, skin care, and nail care industries. These well-established programs will prepare you for a career as a platform artist, educator, stylist, colorist, salon owner, sales representative, and makeup artist, as well as offer you the opportunity to work in the television and movie industries, or on cruise ships. Our program prepares you to take the state board examination for a cosmetology license.
Information regarding the cosmetology program is available in 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 professional level skill in hair 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 state Board of Cosmetology and Barbering licensure exam.
Icon Key
-
Gateway Course
-
Program Requirement
-
General Education -
Appropriate for
Intersession
-
Available Online -
Global Citizenship
Semester 1 (First 8 weeks)
5 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 entering students who wish to be licensed for Barbering and/or Cosmetology by the State of California. This course is designed to teach beginning students safety and the basic techniques of hair cutting to create a variety of hair designs.
This is the first hairstyling class required for all entering students who wish to be licensed for Barbering and/or Cosmetology by the State of California. This course is an introduction to hairstyling. The students will learn the basics of hairstyling including technique of rollers, pin curls, and finger waving. Students will learn how to create hairstyles to pass 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. The course will introduce 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, permanent hair coloring, virgin tint, hair retouch, frosting, and weaving techniques.
This is the first permanent wave class required for 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 is the first Nail Care class required for all entering students who wish to be licensed for Barbering, Cosmetology, and/or Nail Care by the State of California. This course provides an introduction to the basic manipulations skills in manicuring and pedicuring. The course includes the basic concepts of physiology pertaining to the hand and arm. This course is one of four in a series necessary to qualify a student to take the state Board of Barbering, Cosmetology, and/or Nail Care exam.
This is the first skin care/esthetician class required for all entering students who wish to be licensed for Barbering, Cosmetology, and/or Esthetics in the State of California. This course is an introduction to the principles and practice of esthetics (skin care). The course includes health and safety concerns: sanitary practice, safe use of tools and equipment. Basic concepts of anatomy and chemistry related to the skin care profession, manipulations, masks, packs, client consultation, skin analysis, conditions, disease and introduction to basic eyebrow arching are included.
Semester 1 (Second 8 weeks)
7 Units
This is the second hair cutting class required for all entering students who wish to be licensed for Cosmetology by the State of California. This course is the continuation of Cosmetology 11A. The students will learn more advanced techniques of haircutting with the use of may different types of cutting tools.
- Skills Advisory: COSM 11A
This is the second hair styling 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 a continuation of Cosmetology 11B. Students will continue to learn more hairstyling techniques and proper use of blow drying and electric curling iron.
- Skills Advisory: COSM 11B
This is the second hair coloring class required for all entering students who wish to be licensed for Barbering and/or Cosmetology in the State of California. The student will learn how color affects our lives. They will learn the different types of hair color, including henna, tints, and bleaches. They will have hands on workshops and will learn salon foiling techniques. This class provides a complete foundation for color and bleaching procedures.
- Skills Advisory: 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 the second 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.
- Skills Advisory: COSM 11E
This is the second nail care class required for all entering students who wish to be licensed for Cosmetology and/or Nail Care by the State of California. The student will learn State Board Rules and regulations, safety techniques and sanitation for Nails Care as well as the application of nail tips, nail wraps, manicures and pedicures.
- Skills Advisory: COSM 16
This is the second course required for Cosmetology and/or Esthetics licensing. The students will demonstrate the application of both individual and strip eyelashes, and the proper method of hair removal, waxing, and makeup as required by the state of California.
- Skills Advisory: COSM 18
This course is required for Barbering, Cosmetology, and/or Esthetics licensing. The student will learn to perform electrical and chemical facials and to demonstrate the use of electrical facial machines.
- Skills Advisory: COSM 18
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 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.
- E - Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development
Semester 2
16-17 Units
This class is required for all students who wish to be licensed for Barbering and/or Cosmetology by the Sate of California. This class is designed to teach the many techniques of designing men’s hair which will include wet and dry cuts, finger cutting scissors over comb, clipper over comb, beard trims, mustache and eyebrow shaping and blow drying.
should be taken in first 8 weeks
- Prerequisite: COSM 11A
This is the third nail care class required for all entering students who wish to be licensed for Cosmetology and/or Nail Care by the State of California. The student will learn State Board Rules and regulations, safety techniques and sanitation for Nails Care as well as the application of acrylics, French manicures.
could be taken in first or second 8 weeks
- Skills Advisory: COSM 26
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.
should be taken in first 8 weeks
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.
should be taken in second 8 weeks or in intersession
This class is required for all students who wish to be licensed for Cosmetology and/or Esthetics by the state of California. This is an intense class in make-up application. This course will include color theory, blending make-up, the use of concealers, highlighters and contours. The application of blush, powders, lip liners, and lipstick, eye make-up techniques, and the application of new trends will also be covered. Students will learn how to determine face shapes, the correct way to tweeze, wax eyebrows, and work with brow pencils. Students will learn evening glamour and high fashion make-up, hair removal, special bridal looks, coordination of wedding party make-up, and how to conduct a wedding party consultation. Make-up techniques for color and black and white film and work with studio lighting are included.
could be taken in first or second 8 weeks or in intersession
- Skills Advisory: COSM 28A
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 C
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 C
This course provides essential theory carefully formulated to prepare a student to pass the written Barbering and/or Cosmetology State Board Examination. Students are instructed in basic concepts of record keeping, facials, wet styling, scalp treatment, haircutting, perms, relaxing, hair color, thermal treatments, manicuring, and artificial nails.
should be taken in second 8 weeks or in intersession
- Skills Advisory: Completion of at least 800 hours in Cosmetology.
COSM 31A, 31B, 31C, 31E, and 41B recommended
Elective Course(s)Elective Course 2 units
Elective Course 3 units
Semester 3
15-17 Units
SMC GE Area IV-A Course 3 units
This class is designed for students who are either undecided about their educational or career goals, validating their decisions, or seeking to transition into a new career. Students are guided through a process that focuses on their individual interests, skills, personality and values to aid in the selection of a major, determine a career direction and develop career goals. Students will relate their self-assessment information to possible college major and career choices. Decision-making models and goal setting techniques are examined and will be used to develop short and long term education and career plans.
- E - Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development
SMC GE Area II-B Course 3 units
SMC GE Area I Course 3-5 units
COSM 38, 38B, 38C, 46, and 48 recommended
Elective Course(s)Elective Course 3 units
Semester 4
16-18 Units
SMC GE Area IV-B Course 3-5 units
SMC GE Area II-A Course 3 units
ENGL 2 recommended
See the full list: SMC GE Area III Course