Mission Statement
The mission of the Cosmetology program is to provide theory and practical lab work to prepare students to pass the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology licensure examination and thus qualify for entry-level positions in full service salons/spas.
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Work Environment
Many full-time cosmetologists put in a 40-hour week, but longer hours are common, especially among self-employed workers. Work schedules may include evenings and weekends, the times when beauty salons and barbershops are busiest. Many workers, especially those who are self-employed, determine their own schedules. In 2008, about 29 percent of cosmetologists worked part time and 14 percent had variable schedules.
Cosmetologists usually work in clean, pleasant surroundings with good lighting and ventilation. Most work in a salon, although some may work in a spa, hotel, or resort. Good health and stamina are important because these workers are on their feet for most of their shift. Prolonged exposure to some hair and nail chemicals may cause irritation, so protective clothing, such as plastic gloves or aprons, may be worn.
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Nature of the Work
Cosmetologists focus on providing hair care services to enhance the appearance of customers. Other personal appearance workers, such as manicurists and pedicurists, shampooers, and skin care specialists, provide specialized beauty services that help clients look and feel their best. They may advise clients on how to care for their hair at home.
A number of workers offer specialized services. Manicurists and pedicurists, called nail technicians in some states, work exclusively on nails and provide manicures, pedicures, polishing, and nail extensions to clients. Another group of specialists is skin care specialists, or estheticians, who cleanse and beautify the skin by giving facials, full-body treatments, and head and neck massages, as well as apply makeup. They also may remove hair through waxing or, if properly trained, with laser treatments. Finally, in larger salons, shampooers specialize in shampooing and conditioning hair.
In addition to working with clients, personal appearance workers may keep records of hair color or skin care regimens used by their regular clients. A growing number actively sell hair, skin, and nail care products. Barbers, cosmetologists, and other personal appearance workers who operate their own salons have managerial duties that may include hiring and supervising workers, as well as keeping business and inventory records, ordering supplies, and arranging for advertising.
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Employment
Cosmetologists and other personal appearance workers held about 821,900 jobs nationally in 2008. Of these, barbers and cosmetologists held 684,200 jobs, manicurists and pedicurists 76,000, skin care specialists 38,800, and shampooers 22,900. Overall employment of cosmetologists and other personal appearance workers is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations. Personal appearance workers will grow by 20 percent nationally from 2008 to 2018, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
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Earnings
Median hourly wages in May 2008 for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists, including tips and commission, were $11.13. The middle 50 percent earned between $8.57 and $15.03. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $7.47, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $20.41. Among skin care specialists, median hourly wages, including tips, were $13.81, for manicurists and pedicurists $9.46, and for shampooers $8.32. While earnings for entry-level workers usually are low, earnings can be considerably higher for those with experience. A number of factors, such as the size and location of the salon, determine the total income of personal appearance workers. They may receive commissions based on the price of the service, or a salary based on the number of hours worked, and many receive commissions on the products they sell. In addition, some salons pay bonuses to employees who bring in new business. For many personal appearance workers, the ability to attract and hold regular clients is a key factor in determining earnings.
Although some salons offer paid vacations and medical benefits, many self-employed and part-time workers in this occupation do not enjoy such benefits. Some personal appearance workers receive free trial products from manufacturers in the hope that they will recommend the products to clients.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition (http://www.bls.gov/oco/)
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Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the diploma program in Cosmetology will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Perform all related skills associated with the profession of a licensed master cosmetologist, including scalp treatments, styling, haircuts, chemical texture services, chemical color services, nail services, and skin care services
- Perform daily duties associated with salon management
- Practice infection control measures that follow state policy and procedures as outlined by the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
Graduates of the technical certificate in Esthetician will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Demonstrate an appreciation of the art of esthetics
- Perform traditional facial treatments, as well as non-traditional facials with machines
- Perform makeup applications
- Perform hair removal techniques on the face and body
- Perform spa treatments
- Perform daily duties associated with salon management
- Practice infection control measures which follow state policy and procedures as outlined by the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
Graduates of the technical certificate in Shampoo Technician will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Perform basic shampooing techniques
- Practice infection control measures which follow state policy and procedures as outlined by the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology
- Use effective interpersonal skills and demonstrate product knowledge
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
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Essential Functions
The purpose of the essential functions list is to allow prospective students who are considering a career to be informed of the physical, emotional, and psychological demands related to training and employment in a field of study. These lists are provided to allow prospective students to make informed career choices by providing them with a summary of the physical abilities and personality traits that are generally required for the successful completion of a curriculum and result in employment in their field of study after graduation.
For students to be successful in the Cosmetology programs, they must be able to perform the following essential functions:
- Ability to Use Senses
- Visual: Acuity to identify client's natural color level, accurately measure length of hair, and read fine print on instructions and manufacturers' manuals
- Hearing: Ability to hear sounds and emergency signals (with auditory aids or full-time interpreter for the hearing impaired) and to understand a normal speaking voice without direct access to the speaker's face
- Smell: Ability to evaluate possible dangers involved in working with chemicals such as permanent waves, relaxers, and color
- Tactile: Feel heat/cold or pain and evaluate the possible danger of skin irritations
- Motor Ability
- Physical ability to stand for long periods of time, to position clients in shampoo chairs and styling chairs, to perform minor lifting, and finger dexterity
- Ability to multi task
- Ability to have manual dexterity to efficiently and safely use equipment, electrical tools and implements, and maneuver other salon equipment while wearing essential safety glasses and/or gloves and/or other necessary required safety gear
- Ability to Understand Need for a Safe Work Environment
- Practical awareness of spills and other potential dangers in the salon/spa, MSDS sheets, and infection control in the salon/spa
- Ability to wear necessary safety gear such as safety glasses, gloves, head covering, and lab jackets
- Ability to maintain a safe environment at all times as required by the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology
- Ability to Communicate
- Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written forms to class partners and/or team, instructors, and lab floor clients
- Ability to write and perform routine mathematical calculations used in formulations and processing times clearly and correctly
- Basic proficiency in technology (computers and peripheral components) as the Cosmetology industry requires
- Perform client consultations in a professional manner
- Demonstrate interpersonal skills for relationships with clients
- Interpret photos of hairstyles to clients' desires
- Ability to Problem Solve
- Intellectual and conceptual ability for measuring, calculating, reasoning, analyzing, and prioritizing daily functions in today's salons and spas
- Ability to work in fast paced environment with a sense of urgency without jeopardizing safety
- Ability to react and adjust as directed by the instructor(s) during lab or shop instruction or based on customer's needs
- Ability to handle client discrepancies
- Ability to Maintain Emotional Stability
- Function safely under stress in today's workplace and adapt to changing staff and client/customer situations
- Maintain composure and professionalism at all times in labs and work environment
- Ability to Perform Practical Outcomes
- Function under the practical guidelines of the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology
- Perform all salon management duties such as receptionist, dispensary, shop manager, and hair care, skin care, and nail care duties
- Demonstrate time management when performing class assignments, completing appointment books, and performing lab duties
- Show flexibility with changes in the salon industry
- Market salon services
- Attend seminars for continuing education within the salon/spa industry
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Program Expenses
The Higher Education Act requires all colleges and universities to notify students and prospective students of all program costs for which they will be responsible. Students will be responsible for the following expenses each semester (unless otherwise noted):
- Tuition ($75 per credit hour)
- Registration fee ($39)
- Student activity fees ($30)
- Accident insurance fee ($6)
- Instructional and technology supply fee ($55)
- Program kits ($750 for the Cosmetology program, $290 for the Esthetician program, and $100 for the Shampoo Technician program)
- Program supply fee (Varies - see course descriptions for exact costs)
- State Board Exam ($109 for the Cosmetology and Esthetician programs)
- State Board License Application ($30 for the Cosmetology and Esthetician programs)
- Textbooks (Approximately $300 for the Cosmetology program, $250 for the Esthetician program, and $250 for the Shampooing Technician program)
- Uniforms (Approximately $100 for the Cosmetology program and $50 for the Esthetician and Shampooing Technician programs)
These expenses are based on costs in effect at the time this catalog was published. Prices are subject to change.
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Gainful Employment
Information on graduation rates, job placement rates, median loan debt incurred by students and other gainful employment information is available on the college website.
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Admission Requirements
Applicants must submit the following information to the Admissions Office:
- Completed and signed application for admission and a $20 nonrefundable application fee
- Official high school or GED transcripts and/or official college transcripts from all colleges attended in the past (see General Admission Requirements)
- Valid COMPASS, ASSET, SAT, or ACT test scores (see COMPASS and ASSET Placement Tests)
Students gain admission to Cosmetology during the Fall and Spring Semesters on the Athens Campus and during the Fall Semester on the Elbert County Campus, Greene County Campus, and Walton County Campus. Students gain admission to the evening program in Cosmetology during the Spring Semester. Students who declare Cosmetology as their program of study gain admission on a first come, first served basis upon completion of their general core courses.
Students gain admission to the Esthetician and Shampoo Technician technical certificate during Fall Semester. The Shampoo Technician technical certificate is specifically for dual enrollment students.
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