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)
9 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 students who wish to be licensed for Barbering, Cosmetology or Hair Stylist by the State of California. This course is designed to teach beginning students how to effectively and properly describe and demonstrate the basic techniques of hair cutting to create a variety of hair designs which will include a 0-elevation-one-length hair cut, a face framing haircut, a 180 degree long layered hair cut and a 90 degree hair cut and how to properly setup and maintain a Sanitary Maintenance Area necessary for all tools used.
This is the first hairstyling class required for all entering students who wish to be licensed for Barbering, Cosmetology, and/or Hairstylist by the State of California. The theoretical and practical components of this course include instructions on wet and thermal hairstyling. The students will learn the basics of hairstyling including the techniques of thermal, rollers, pin curls, and finger waving. Students will be able to describe and demonstrate the basic fundamentals of historical hairstyling in accordance to 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. This course is an introduction to the theoretical, practical principles, and practice of 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, demi permanent, permanent hair coloring, virgin tint, hair retouch, frosting, and weaving techniques.
This permanent wave class is required 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 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.
NOTE: can be taken in 16 week format
- E - Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development
Semester 1 (Second 8 weeks)
6 Units
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 skincare/esthetician class required for all entering students who wish to be licensed for Cosmetology and/or Esthetics in the State of California. This course is an introduction to the theory, practical principles, and practice of esthetics (skincare). The course's theoretical and practical components include health and safety concerns, sanitary practices, and safe use of tools and equipment. An introduction of the basic concepts of anatomy and chemistry related to the skin care profession, facial manipulations, masks, packs, client consultation, skin analysis, conditions, disease, and an introduction to basic eyebrow arching are included.
This is the second hair cutting class required for all entering students who wish to be licensed for Cosmetology, Barbering or Hairstylist by the State of California. This course is the continuation of Cosmetology 11A. The students will learn advanced techniques of haircutting with the use of different types of cutting tools.
- Prerequisite: COSM 11A
This is the second hair styling class required for all entering students who wish to be licensed for Barbering, Cosmetology and/or Hairstylist by the State board of California. This course is a continuation of Cosmetology 11B. Students will learn advanced hairstyling theoretical and practical techniques, including the proper use of the blow drier and electric curling iron.
- Prerequisite: COSM 11B
This is the second hair coloring class required for students who wish to be licensed for Barbering or Cosmetology in the State of California. The student will learn how color affects our lives. Students will expand their knowledge of hair colors, including henna, tints, and bleaches. The class provides hair color theory and hands-on workshops in hair color applications, including highlighting with foils. This class offers a complete foundation for color and bleaching procedures.
- Prerequisite: 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 a 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.
- Advisory: COSM 11E
Semester 2
15-17 Units
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.
NOTE: recommended for 1st 8 week session
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, and gel polish manicures.
recommended for 1st 8 week session
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, eyebrow mapping, tinting eyebrows, and lashes, as required by the state of California. This course focuses on the physiology and histology of the skin, including skin disorders and diseases.
recommended for 1st 8 week session
- Pre/Corequisite: COSM 18
This course is required for Cosmetology or Esthetics licensing. The student will learn to perform electrical and chemical facials and demonstrate the use of electrical facial machines.
recommended for 1st 8 week session
- Prerequisite: COSM 18
This class is required for all students who wish to be licensed for Barbering, Cosmetology or Hair Styling by the State of California. This class is designed to teach how to effectively and properly describe and demonstrate the many techniques of designing short hair, which will include wet and dry hair cuts, finger cutting techniques, scissors over comb hair cutting, clipper over comb hair cutting, beard trims, mustache and eyebrow shaping, blow drying and how to properly setup and maintain a Sanitary Maintenance Area necessary for all tools used.
recommended for 1st 8 week session
- Prerequisite: COSM 11A
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.
recommended for 1st 8 week session
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, and the use of e-files (nail drill).
could be taken in first or second 8 weeks
- Advisory: COSM 26
- Prerequisite: COSM 16
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.
recommended for 2nd 8 week session
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. Students will learn about evening glamour, high fashion make-up, and special bridal looks.
- Prerequisite: COSM 28A
This course is a module of a 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 successful demonstration of 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 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.
recommended for 2nd 8 week session or in intersession
- Advisory: Completion of at least 650 hours in Cosmetology.
- Prerequisite: COSM 10A and
- Prerequisite: COSM 10B and
COSM 31A, 31B, 31C, 31E, 38, 38B, 38C, 41B, 46, and/or 48 recommended
Semester 3
15-17 Units
SMC GE Area IV-A Course 3 units
SMC GE Area II-B Course 3 units
SMC GE Area I Course 3-5 units
COSM 31A, 31B, 31C, 31E, 38, 38B, 38C, 41B, 46, and/or 48 recommended
COSM 31A, 31B, 31C, 31E, 38, 38B, 38C, 41B, 46, and/or 48 recommended
Semester 4
15-17 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