Start a Career in Cosmetology
Are you passionate about hairstyles, nail care, and beauty trends? If you can see yourself working with clients in a salon or spa setting, then the cosmetology and manicuring program will prepare you for a successful career in the beauty industry!
Allan Hancock College’s cosmetology and manicuring program gives students the skills they need to become licensed cosmetologists and manicurists. Taught by industry professionals at the Institute of Beauty Culture, classes cover a full range of subject areas, such as hairstyling, hair coloring, chemical waving, facials (including hair removal and makeup), manicures, pedicures, sanitation, bacteriology, and California law.
Upon completion, students will have all the knowledge and skills they need to pass the California State Board of Cosmetology licensure exam and start their own salon or enter the workforce as a beautician.
This program will help you to:
- qualify for the California State Board of Cosmetology examination for licensure
- contribute to the management and operational procedures of a beauty salon
- use cosmetology products, tools, and equipment in a safe, healthy, and effective manner
- render styles and applications that are fashionable, artistic, and technical in nature.
Cosmetology Program
The Cosmetology Program requires 1,600 hours of training, which fully prepares you for licensing as a beautician.
- Students enroll in a sequence of four courses: COS 301, COS 302, COS 303, and COS 304.
- Classes are held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and are held at the Institute of Beauty Culture Academy in Santa Maria.
- The program takes about 10 months to complete, and the four Cosmetology courses include lecture and practical application.
- Attendance is mandatory.
- Upon satisfactory completion of all cosmetology courses, you can qualify to take the California State Board of Cosmetology licensure examination.
Manicuring
The Manicuring Program requires 400 hours of training.
- Students enroll in COS 310.
- Classes are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. The manicuring program takes about 11 weeks to complete. Classes are held at the Institute of Beauty Culture Academy in Santa Maria.
- Attendance is mandatory.
- Upon satisfactory completion of the manicuring course, you can qualify to take the California State Board of Cosmetology licensure examination.
Program Application
- Apply for admission to Allan Hancock College using the following link: admission to the college.
- Students are encouraged to meet with a college counselor to work on their student educational plan (SEP). This step is important if you do not have a High School diploma or equivalent (i.e. GED, HiSET).
- To start the admission process: Download the AHC Cosmetology/Manicuring program application, and hand-deliver or U.S. mail the application to Dana Avila, Building S, 800 S. College Drive, Santa Maria, CA 93454.
- Availability is limited. Entry into the program is determined by:
- Proof of admission to the college.
- Date of AHC Cosmetology application submission.
- Attendance and time of arrival at the mandatory orientation.
- In addition to regular Allan Hancock College fees, you will also be required to purchase a training kit and appropriate uniform. For cost information and a checklist, review the Cosmetology Program Information Packet.
Suggested Course Sequence
The “Suggested Course Sequence” is an example of how to complete the requirements plus any additional general education that may be needed. If you would like to create a personalized Student Education Plan (SEP), schedule a meeting with a counselor.
Fall Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Select one course from this list.
If you take any of the following courses, you will also satisfy the AHC graduation
requirement of area 4B: Communication and Analytical Thinking.
Recommended courses: MATH 100, 105, 123, 135, 181, 321; or select one course from
this list.
Choose one of the following courses:
- EMS 102, First Aid and Safety
- FSN 109, Basic Nutrition for Health
- HED 100, Health and Wellness
- HUSV 126, Meditation, Mindfulness, and Stress Reduction
Select one course from this list.
Select one course from this list.
Total Units:
12.5-18
Spring Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
A writing course designed primarily to meet the needs of students pursuing career and technical programs. Meets the written composition graduation requirement for an AHC associate's degree. Students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution will need to take ENGL 101 instead of this course to meet the university's first-year composition requirement. Readings will be drawn from the disciplines involved so that students master comprehension and critical reading skills in real-world texts. Writing assignments and projects will similarly be based upon the types of critical thinking and analytical writing required in the students' fields of study. Research methods and skills will be emphasized.
Prerequisite: Placement based upon Allan Hancock College's placement policy.
Designed to help students enhance their analytical reading and writing skills using a wide variety of texts. Emphasizes college-level expository essay construction, communication, and research methods leading to the preparation and writing of a research paper.
If you take any of the following courses, you will also satisfy the Multicultural/Gender Studies requirement:
ANTH 102, 103, 105; BUS 141; ECON 141; ENGL 105; GBST 141; GEOG 102, 103; LGBT 101, 102; POLS 104, 105; SOC 101, 102, 120, 122; SPCH 110
Or select one course from this list.
Choose one of the following courses:
- ES 1231, African American History
- HIST 107, U S History to 1877
- HIST 108, US History from 1877 to the Present
- HIST 118, U S History to 1877
- HIST 119, History of California
- POLS 101, Introduction to Political Science
- POLS 103, American Government
If you take any of the following courses, you will also satisfy the Multicultural/Gender Studies requirement:
ART 101, 105, 109, 170; DANC 101p; DRMA 103; ENGL 130, 131, 139, 140, 148; ECS 116; FASH 104; FILM 101, 102, 103, 108, 109; HIST 101, 102, 103, 120; HUM 101, 102, 103; MUS 104, 106; PHIL 121; SPAN 102, 103, 104, 105, 112
Select one course from this list.
Total Units:
16
Fall Semester (Year 2)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Limitations on Enrollment: Admission to the Cosmetology program
An introduction to the field of cosmetology with extensive practice in introductory hair, skin and nail care techniques. The course covers the practices of beauty salon operation, good customer and public relations, and analysis of the Cosmetology Act and State Board Rules and Regulations.
Prerequisite: COS 301
Provides students with basic laboratory and salon experience in the field of cosmetology and related sciences. Includes theories and practices in hair styling, permanent waving, chemical straightening, haircutting, hair coloring and bleaching, scalp and hair treatments, facials, eyebrow arching and hair removal, makeup, manicuring and pedicuring. Students are required by the State Board of Cosmetology to complete COS 301, 302, 303, and 304 for a total of 1600 hours in order to qualify to take the licensure examination and become eligible to practice as a cosmetologist.
Total Units:
14.0
Spring Semester (Year 2)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Prerequisite: COS 302
Provides students with intermediate laboratory and salon experience in the field of cosmetology and related sciences. Includes theories and practices in hair styling, permanent waving, chemical straightening, haircutting, hair coloring and bleaching, scalp and hair treatments, facials, eyebrow arching and hair removal, makeup manicuring and pedicuring. Students are required by the State Board of Cosmetology to complete COS 301, 302, 303, and 304 for a total of 1600 hours in order to qualify to take the licensure examination and become eligible to practice as a cosmetologist.
Prerequisite: COS 303
Provides students with advanced laboratory and salon experience in the field of cosmetology and related sciences. Includes theories and practices in hair styling, permanent waving, chemical straightening, haircutting, hair coloring and bleaching, scalp and hair treatments, facials, eyebrow arching and hair removal, makeup, manicuring and pedicuring. Students are required by the State Board of Cosmetology to complete COS 301, 302, 303, and 304 for a total of 1600 hours in order to qualify to take the licensure examination and become eligible to practice as a cosmetologist.
Total Units:
18
Program Requirements:
"Program Requirements" specify the courses required for this program. See suggested course sequence for additional information.
A major of 32 units are required for the degree.
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COS 301 | Intro to Cosmetology | 5 |
| COS 302 | Beginning Cosmetology | 9 |
| COS 303 | Intermediate Cosmetology | 9 |
| COS 304 | Advanced Cosmetology | 9 |
Suggested Course Sequence
The "Suggested Course Sequence" is an example of how to complete the requirements plus any additional general education that may be needed. If you would like to create a personalized Student Education Plan (SEP), schedule a meeting with a counselor.
Fall Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Limitations on Enrollment: Admission to the Cosmetology program
An introduction to the field of cosmetology with extensive practice in introductory hair, skin and nail care techniques. The course covers the practices of beauty salon operation, good customer and public relations, and analysis of the Cosmetology Act and State Board Rules and Regulations.
Prerequisite: COS 301
Provides students with basic laboratory and salon experience in the field of cosmetology and related sciences. Includes theories and practices in hair styling, permanent waving, chemical straightening, haircutting, hair coloring and bleaching, scalp and hair treatments, facials, eyebrow arching and hair removal, makeup, manicuring and pedicuring. Students are required by the State Board of Cosmetology to complete COS 301, 302, 303, and 304 for a total of 1600 hours in order to qualify to take the licensure examination and become eligible to practice as a cosmetologist.
Total Units:
14
Spring Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Prerequisite: COS 302
Provides students with intermediate laboratory and salon experience in the field of cosmetology and related sciences. Includes theories and practices in hair styling, permanent waving, chemical straightening, haircutting, hair coloring and bleaching, scalp and hair treatments, facials, eyebrow arching and hair removal, makeup manicuring and pedicuring. Students are required by the State Board of Cosmetology to complete COS 301, 302, 303, and 304 for a total of 1600 hours in order to qualify to take the licensure examination and become eligible to practice as a cosmetologist.
Prerequisite: COS 303
Provides students with advanced laboratory and salon experience in the field of cosmetology and related sciences. Includes theories and practices in hair styling, permanent waving, chemical straightening, haircutting, hair coloring and bleaching, scalp and hair treatments, facials, eyebrow arching and hair removal, makeup, manicuring and pedicuring. Students are required by the State Board of Cosmetology to complete COS 301, 302, 303, and 304 for a total of 1600 hours in order to qualify to take the licensure examination and become eligible to practice as a cosmetologist.
Total Units:
18
Program Requirements:
"Program Requirements" specify the courses required for this program. See suggested course sequence for additional information.
A major of 32 units are required for the certificate of achievement.
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COS 301 | Intro to Cosmetology | 5 |
| COS 302 | Beginning Cosmetology | 9 |
| COS 303 | Intermediate Cosmetology | 9 |
| COS 304 | Advanced Cosmetology | 9 |
