Cosmetology Course Description
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC ) 39-5012.00
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 12.0401
The curriculum involves 1500 hours to satisfy South Dakota state requirements. The course includes extensive instruction and practical experience in cutting, coloring, texture and styling, hair removal, facial treatments, nails, and makeup. Along with customer service, personal and professional development, retail (Take Home) skills, record keeping, business ethics, safety and sanitation, state laws and regulations, and employment preparedness.
*Graduates are prepared to become an entry level cosmetologist.
This course is taught in English.
Cosmetology Course Overview
Course Hours: 1500 clock hours
The course is divided into pre-clinical classroom instruction and clinical service learning experiences.
- Pre-clinical Classroom Instruction: The first 350 hours are devoted to theory and classroom workshops where Future Professionals learn design principles, technical information, and professional practices.
- Clinic Classroom Learning Experience: The remaining 1150 hours are spent in the clinic classroom area where skills are practiced and practical experience is gained.
Cosmetology Course Outline
Your time at Paul Mitchell The School Rapid City for the cosmetology program will be divided into six designations:
- Core Curriculum: Your first 350 hours are spent learning basic fundamentals. You will learn the fundamentals of haircutting, color, texture, styling, nails, and skin. Future Professionals are evaluated throughout Core on the comprehension of these skills. Future Professionals must maintain an average of 80% attendance and academics during Core. They must also pass the evaluations with an 80% or higher to move on to the Adaptive Phase. The South Dakota Cosmetology Commission requires future professionals to have a minimum of 225 hours of the fundamentals before they can perform services on guests. Once the Core phase is successfully completed you will add to skills with regularly scheduled classes in cutting, coloring, texture, makeup, and performing services on guests.
- Protégé Learning Experience: Your experience as a Protégé produces a smooth transition from the Core phase to Adaptive phase. Your time spent as a Protégé prepares you for the clinic classroom experience.
- Clinic Classroom Learning Experience: Your clinic classroom time of from 350 hours to 1500 hours will be tracked through the CourseKey Skills Tracker App. Learning Leaders will assist Future Professionals to grow their hard and soft skills through guided services performed on guests, mini classes, evaluations, and positive feedback. Guest artists and optional advanced and/or certifications may be added to enhance and broaden your learning experience.
- Adaptive Curriculum: From 350 to 750 hours you will enter a new phase of classroom workshops coupled with challenging practical services designed to continue building you into a confident professional.
- Creative Curriculum: You will spend your last 750 hours 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 Rapid City meets or exceeds the state requirements:
| Subject | Hours |
|---|---|
| General infection control and professional standards, including infection control in a licensed facility; infection control standards and guidelines; infection control for implements and equipment; first aid; blood exposure standards; professional development; effective communication; human relations; business management/ownership; and state law | 150 |
| The science of cosmetology, hair, skin and nails, including health safety and infection control; general anatomy and physiology; skin diseases, disorders and structure; properties of the hair and scalp; nail structure, growth, diseases and disorders; basics of chemistry; product chemistry; understanding the basics of electricity; and basic nutrition | 200 |
| General cosmetology, including principles of hair design, scalp care, shampooing and conditioning; haircutting; hairstyling; braiding and extensions; and wigs and hair additions | 300 |
| Chemical hair services, including chemical texture services; and hair coloring | 280 |
| Esthetics and skin sciences, including physiology and histology of the skin; skin analysis; skin care products: chemistry, ingredients and selection; the treatment room; basic facial; facial massage, hair removal; advance topics and treatments; and makeup | 200 |
| Nail technology, including pre and post service procedures; performing basic manicures and pedicures; hand, lower arm, foot and lower leg massage; wraps, tips and paraffin wax treatments; polishing, light-cured gel polish and design; electric nail filing (8 hours); monomer liquid and polymer powder nail enhancement; light-cured gel enhancements; and creative design | 120 |
| Additional Flexible Hours | 250 |
| TOTAL HOURS | 1500 |
The school offers professional development and career preparation classes to help graduates’ secure employment in the industry.
Cosmetology Program Testing and Grading Procedure
The following tests and grading procedures are used to assess student learning and comprehension of course content in the course:
- Academic theory exams: Future Professionals must receive a grade of 80% or higher on each assigned theory exam.
- Core written and practical skills evaluation: Future Professionals must receive a grade of 80% or higher on each written exam and each practical skill exam in order to complete the Core phase of the program to transition to the Clinic Classroom. If future professionals are unable to pass each exam after two attempts, they may be asked to withdraw from the program and re-enroll in the next available class start date.
- Final exam 1: This test covers an overview of professional foundations including but limited to electricity, infection control, and chemistry. Future Professionals must receive a grade of 80% or higher on all final exams.
- Final exam 2: This written exam covers an overview of all theory instruction of all Cosmetology related subjects. Future Professionals must receive a grade of 80% or higher on all final exams.
- South Dakota Laws & Rules Written Exam: The written exam covers an overview of all South Dakota state laws and rules. Future Professionals must receive a grade of 80% or higher on all exams.
- Clinic experiences and hours: Future Professionals must submit their hours and experiences into CourseKey Skills Tracker daily. These submissions should reflect the hours and experiences each future professional participated in each day.