Course Objective:Students will obtain education and skills in preparation for the Pennsylvania State Board Cosmetology Examination.  Students may take this exam after completing 1250 hours in the program.

Course Description:Cosmetology is a three-year course for tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grade students.  The course will be operated by the Western ACTC under the regulations of the State Board of Cosmetology.  Students with regular attendance will receive the required 1250 hours of training needed to take the State Board exams for licensing. 

Course Topics:Professional development
Salon ecology
Anatomy and physiology
Electricity
Chemistry
Salon business
Trichology
Design decisions
Haircutting and hair styling
Wigs and hair additions
Chemical texturizing
Haircolor
Study of nails and skin

Cooperating Companies:Back Scratchers
J.C. Penney Salon – Washington, PA
Philip Pelusi Salon
Salon Systems, Inc
Supercuts Salon

Specialized Shop Equipment: European skin machine
Color processing machine
Salon management software
17 stations

Clinical Experience:Salon is open to public (Tuesdays and Thursdays)

Certifications:PA Skills Certificate
Pennsylvania State Board License

Articulations:

California University of Pennsylvania - Business Administration
Douglas Education Center

Post-Secondary Training Options: Bella Cappelli
Douglas Education Center
Empire Beauty School
Gordon Phillips Beauty School
Penn Commercial
South Hills Beauty Academy

Potential Careers:Nail Technician-Manicurist                               Cosmetologist
Beauty School Supervisor                                Chemical Technician
Field Technician                                               Ethnic Hair Specialist
Esthetician                                                       Wig Dresser
Salon Manager                                                 Body Make-Up Artist
Cosmetology Educator/Writer                           Platform Artist
Mortuary Beautician                                         Make-Up Artist
Business Consultant                                          Colorist
Beauty School Instructor                                   State Board Examiner
Business Consultant                                          Competition Stylist
Manufacturer’s Representative                          Salon Owner
Cosmetology Educator/Writer   

Cosmetology Skills:Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Time Management — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Learning Strategies — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Equipment Selection — Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.