Cosmetology
15 Months – Total Clock Hours: 1,250
2025-2026 Tuition: $12,664
2026 – 2027 Tuition: $`3,044
Start Dates: 1/6/2026, 7/27/2026, 1/6/2027
Admission Requirements
Application Fee, Application, Enrollment Agreement, High School Diploma, Transcript or GED, Criminal Record Check, and 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 develop skills in hair cutting and styling, permanent waving, hair coloring, and chemical relaxing formen 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 PA state license. 1,250 hours of training must be completed prior to being eligible for the license examination for cosmetology.
Courses In This Program Include:
Course Descriptions
COS-106 – Orientation to Cosmetology
Orientation consists of four chapters that cover the field of cosmetology and the personal skills you will need to become successful. Students learn how the profession of cosmetology came into being and where it can take you. This section includes life skills and your professional image which stresses the importance of inward beauty and health as well as outward appearance. This section wraps up 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 you need to know in order to keep yourself and your 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 explains 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. The remaining chapters in part two General Anatomy and physiology, 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- provide essential information that will affect how you interact with clients and how you use 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 an updated Haircutting chapter, complete with step-by-step procedures for core cuts. Hairstyling, Braiding and Braid Extensions, Wigs and Hair Additions along with Chemical Textures Services and Haircoloring 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 must be trained. This part begins with Hair Removal, which covers waxing, tweezing, and other popular methods of removing unwanted hair from the face and body. Wrapping up this section is Facials and Facial Makeup, these offer the critical information you will 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, and it explains how to create a resume and a portfolio. What you will be expected to know and do as a newly licensed cosmetologist is described in On the Job. You will learn the tips on how to make the business efficient and profitable. (60 Lecture hours, 0 Lab hours)