Cosmetology Course Information

Cosmetology Course Description

Standard Occupational Classification (SOC 39-5012.00)
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 12.0401)

The curriculum involves 1600 hours to satisfy Idaho state requirements. The course includes extensive instruction and practical experience in cutting, hair coloring, perming, customer service, personal appearance and hygiene, personal motivation and development, retail skills, client record keeping, business ethics, sanitation, state laws and regulations, salon-type administration, and job interviewing.

*Graduates are prepared to become an entry level cosmetologist.

This course is taught in English.

Cosmetology Course Overview

Course Hours: 1600 clock hours

The course is divided into pre-clinical classroom instruction and clinical service learning experiences.

  1. Pre-clinical Classroom Instruction: The first 270 hours are devoted to classroom workshops where students learn design principles, technical information, and professional practices.
  2. Clinic Classroom Learning Experience: The remaining 1330 hours are spent in the clinic area where practical experience is gained.

Cosmetology Course Outline

Your time at Paul Mitchell The School Twin Falls for the cosmetology and cosmetology/makeup program will be divided into six (6) designations:

  1. Core Curriculum: A 180 hour orientation, known as the Core program, instills the basic fundamentals. Students are graded and evaluated using written, oral, and practical testing methods. Students must successfully complete the Core curriculum prior to attending regularly scheduled daily classes in cutting, coloring, permanent waving, spa services, and chemical texture services.
  2. Protégé Learning Experience: Your experience as a Protégé produces a smooth transition from Core student to Adaptive student. You spend 60 hours as a Protégé preparing you for the clinic classroom experience.
  3. Clinic Classroom Learning Experience: Your clinic classroom time from 330 to 1600 hours will be guided with individual attention and group learning experiences using mini-classes, monthly worksheets, and periodic evaluations developed specifically for this monitoring progress. This is when you begin experiencing your clinic classroom education on paying clients in the clinic classroom area.
  4. Classroom Learning Experience: Your classroom time from 330 to 1600 hours is divided into six (6) areas: cutting, coloring, texture, makeup, skin, and nails. Each area has an instructor who conducts the different specialty classes each week; Classroom Learning Experiences may also include retail, motivation, self improvement, professional development, and attendance education which may be conducted by an instructor, non-licensed staff member or guest artist.
  5. Adaptive Curriculum: From 330 to 800 hours you will enter a new phase of elective classroom workshops coupled with challenging practical services designed to continue building you into a confident designer.
  6. Creative Curriculum: You will spend your last 800 hours in “high gear” by dressing, acting, and working like a true professional. You will use your own artistic and creative abilities, coupled with the assistance of the Learning Leaders, to prepare yourself for your future beauty industry career.

Cosmetology Course Subjects

The instructional program of Paul Mitchell The School Twin Falls meets or exceeds the state requirements.

Subject Theory Minimum Requirements Practical Minimum Requirements
1. Theory 160  
2. Bacteriology 7  
3. Histology of hair, skin, muscles, nails, & nerves 45  
4. Structure of the Hair 7  
5. Elementary chemistry relating to sterilization & antiseptics 5  
6. Disease of the skin, hair glands, & nails 10  
7. Massaging & manipulating muscles of the body 5  
8. Permanent Waving 50 50
9. Chemical Relaxing   25
10. Haircutting to include scissor, razor & clippers 100 100
11. Hair arranging and dressing to include wet sets, fingerwaving, thermal, free style & braids 50 250
12. Hair color to include bleaching, tinting, semi-permanent, temporary color 50 100
13. Study of Electricity 5  
14. Idaho laws & rules governing the practice of cosmetology  15  
15. Scalp Treatment 11 25
16. Facial to include plain, makeup & arches 40 40
17. Manicures and pedicure to include plain & oil 10 40
18. Personal and Professional Development 20  
19. Salon Business & Preparation 20  
20. Final Phase 25  
21. Sanitation   15
22. Artificial Nails  5 5
23. Unassigned 195 115
Total 835 765
TOTAL CLOCK HOURS 1600

The institution offers employment assistance to help graduates’ efforts to secure education-related employment that includes, but is not limited to training in professionalism, resume’ development, job interview preparation and job search skills.

Cosmetology Program Testing And Grading Procedure

The following tests and grading procedures are used to assess student learning and mastery of course content in the 1600-hour course:

  1. Academic theory exams: Students must receive a grade of 70% or higher on each assigned theory exam.
  2. Core written and practical skills evaluation: Students must receive a grade of 70% or higher on each written exam and each practical skill exam in order to complete the Core program. The exams are an overview of instruction taught during the Core schedule. All Core written and practical skill exams must be passed with a 70% in order to transition to the Clinic Classroom. If students are unable to pass each exam after two attempts, the student may be asked to withdraw from the program and re-enroll in the next available Core class start date.
  3. Final exam 1 (approximately 800 hour written test): This test covers an overview of all related cosmetology subjects (e.g., anatomy, chemistry, etc.).Students must receive a grade of 70% or higher on all final exams.
  4. Final exam 2 (approximately 1400 hour written test): The written exam covers an overview of all theory instruction, Idaho state law, and other items covered on the state cosmetology exam. Students must receive a grade of 70% or higher on all final exams.
  5. Clinic Practical Skill Assessments: Future Professionals progress in practical skill assessments and theory hours will be digitally monitored on a weekly basis by the Future Professional Advisor using the Course Key app. All assigned practical skill assessments must be completed in order to complete the program.
  6. Practical skills Test.

Cosmetology instructional techniques and methods

The programs are provided through a sequential set of learning steps which address specific tasks necessary for State Board preparation, graduation and job entry level skills. Clinic equipment, implements and products are comparable to those used in the industry. Each student will receive instruction that relates to the performance of useful, creative and productive career oriented activities. The course is presented through well-developed lesson plans that reflect the latest educational methods. Subjects are presented by means of lecture, demonstration, and student participation. Audio-visual aids, guest speakers, field trips, and other related learning methods are used in the course.