Cosmetology
15 Months – Total Clock Hours: 1,250
2025-2026 Tuition: $12,664
Start Dates: 7/28/2025 & 1/6/2026
Admission Requirements
Application Fee, Application for Admission, Enrollment Agreement, High School Diploma or GED, Criminal Record Check, Child Abuse Clearance.
Program Overview
Cosmetology involves a broad range of specialty areas, including hairstyling, nail technology, and esthetics. It is defined as the art and science of beautifying and improving skin, nails, and hair; and also includes the study of cosmetics and their application. Students review skills in hair cutting and styling, permanent waving, hair coloring, and chemical relaxing for men and women, along with nail and skin care skills.
The Cosmetology program at the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology includes units of instruction in the history of the field, general science, hair care, skin care, nail care, and business skills.
Students will have the opportunity to obtain a professional Pennsylvania State License in Cosmetology. 1,250 hours of training must be successfully completed prior to being eligible for the Pennsylvania License Examination for Cosmetology.
Maximum # of Students Per Class: 16
Program starts in January and July. Please check with CPI Admissions and review the Program Enrollment Agreement for specific start dates.
Entry-Level Career Opportunities:
- Hairdresser
- Barber
- Skincare Specialists
- Manicurist / Pedicurist
Courses In This Program Include:
Course Descriptions
COS-106 – Orientation to Cosmetology
Orientation consists of course material that covers the field of cosmetology and the personal skills students will need to become successful. Students are taught to learn how the profession of cosmetology came into being and where it can take you. This course includes life skills and professional image which stresses the importance of inward beauty and health, as well as outward appearance. This course concludes with covering the important process of building client relationships based on trust and effective communication. (60 Lecture Hours – 0 Lab Hours)
COS-110 – General Sciences
General Sciences includes important information students need to know in order to keep self and clients safe and healthy. Infection Control principles and practices offers the most current, vital facts about hepatitis, HIV, and other infectious viruses and bacteria and explain how to prevent their spread in the salon. Additional content discusses the types of foot spas and best practices for cleaning and disinfecting the various pedicure units. Other coursework includes skin structure, growth and nutrition, skin disorders and diseases, nail structure and growth, nail disorders and diseases, properties of the hair and scalp, basics of chemistry and basics of electricity all provide essential information that will affect how the student interacts with clients and how the student uses service products and tools.
(310 Lecture Hours – 0 Lab Hours)
COS-120 – Hair Care
Hair Care offers information on every aspect of hair. Principles of hair Designs explores the ways hair can be sculpted to enhance a client’s facial shape. The foundation of every hair service is covered in scalp care, shampooing and conditioning, followed by updated haircutting, complete with step-by-step procedures for core cuts. Hairstyling, braiding and braid extensions, wigs, and
hair additions along with chemical texture services and hair coloring reflect the most recent advances in the areas.
(32 Lecture Hours – 468 Lab Hours)
COS-166 – Skin Care
Skin Care focuses on another area in which new advances have altered the way students are trained. This course begins with hair removal, which covers waxing, tweezing, and other popular methods of removing unwanted hair from the face and body. This course concludes with facials and facial makeup, as these offer the critical information students need for these increasingly requested services in the expanding field of esthetics.
(12 Lecture Hours – 98 Lab Hours)
COS-188 – Nail Care
Nail Care contains manicuring, pedicuring, nail tips and wraps, monomer liquid and polymer powder nail enhancements along with light cured gels with expanded information on nail art. Light cured gels include both UV and LED gels.
(20 Lecture Hours – 190 Lab Hours)
COS- 198 – Business Skills
Business Skills prepares students for licensure exams and job interviews. The course explains how to create a resume and a portfolio. (60 Lecture Hours – 0 Lab Hours)