Cosmetology

Do you enjoy working with hair and makeup? Do you enjoy working in a fun environment with a flexible schedule? Do you want to build your own schedule and have the freedom of an entrepreneur? Do you want to earn an excellent salary where your income reflects your work? Do you enjoy talking with people? Do you want to work with people from diverse backgrounds? Do you want to avoid working in an office? Do you want a career where you may work with celebrities? Do you want a career with a strong job outlook? 

If you answered yes to five or more of the above questions, Cosmetology may be an excellent career choice for you!

Admission Information

 

The Cosmetology Salon/Department has moved to Machinery Hall at 1301 Bonner Drive.

Credentialing Options

Associate in Arts, Pre-Cosmetology Diploma Pathway

A 10 10 0 CO

Contact: (336) 334-4822 ext. 50439

Limited Enrollment Program Pathway

GTCC is an open access institution, however many of our programs have enrollment requirements for admission.  Limited Enrollment Pathways help to identify students who are awaiting acceptance into Limited Enrollment Programs while they complete entry requirements to qualify for admission.  Students who are unable to qualify for admission to Limited Enrollment Programs within one year will be removed from the Limited Enrollment Pathway, and will remain enrolled in the Associate in Arts (A10100) degree program.

Semester I

Total Credits: 16

Semester II

Total Credits: 15

Semester III

  • Humanities/Fine Arts Elective Credits: 3
  • Social/Behavioral Science Elective Credits: 3 
  • Natural Science Elective Credits: 4
  • General Education Elective Credits: 3
  • General Education Elective Credits: 2

Total Credits: 15

Semester IV

  • Other Required/Pre-Major Elective Credits: 3
  • Other Required/Pre-Major Elective Credits: 3
  • Other Required/Pre-Major Elective Credits: 3
  • Other Required/Pre-Major Elective Credits: 3
  • Other Required/Pre-Major Elective Credits: 2

Total Credits: 14

Course Requirements for Associate in Arts, Pre-Cosmetology Diploma Pathway (60 Credits)

General Education Requirements

The general education common course pathway includes study in the areas of English, communication; humanities and fine arts; social and behavioral sciences; natural sciences and mathematics.

English Composition

The following two English compositions courses are required:

Humanities/Fine Arts

The following courses are required:

Humanities/Fine Arts Electives

Choose two courses from the following list:

Social/Behavioral Sciences

The following courses are required:

Social/Behavioral Science Electives

Choose two courses from the following list:

Mathematics

The following course is required:

Natural Sciences

One of the following set of courses is required (4 credits):

  • Set One:  AST 151/AST 151A
  • Set Two: BIO-110
  • Set Three: BIO-111
  • Set Four:  CHM-151
  • Set Five:  GEL-111
  • Set Six: PHY-110/PHY-110A

General Education Electives

Take fourteen (14) credits from the following list:

Other Required Hours

Academic Transition

The following course is required:

Other Required/Pre-Major Electives

Choose fourteen (14) credits from the following list:

Footnotes:

1. WBL-111 is not transferable and can only be utilized as the 61st hour of the program.

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Cosmetology Diploma - CIP Code: 12.0401

D 55 14 0 

Contact: (336) 334-4822, ext. 50111

Limited Enrollment Program:
Contact the Admissions Office for Program admission requirements and Program application deadlines.

This Cosmetology curriculum is designed to provide competency based knowledge, scientific/artistic principles and hands-on fundamentals associated with the cosmetology industry. The curriculum provides a simulated salon environment which enables students to develop manipulative skills. Course work includes instruction in all phases of professional imaging, hair design, chemical processes, skin care, nail care multi-cultural practices, product knowledge and other selected topics. Graduates should qualify to sit for the State Board of Cosmetic Arts examination. Upon successfully passing the State Board exam, graduates will be issued a license. Employment is available in beauty salons and related businesses.

Program Outcomes:

Upon completion of Cosmetology diploma, the graduate should be able to:

  • Style hair according to accepted professional standards;
  • Perform manicures and pedicures according to accepted professional standards
  • Provide skin care services according to accepted professional standards
  • Restructure hair using chemical services according to accepted professional standards
  • Market services and finances
  • Provide a safe and sanitized environment

Fall Semester I

Total Credits: 12

Spring Semester I

Total Credits: 15

Summer Semester I

Total Credits: 8

Fall Semester II

Total Credits: 12

Total credit hours required for diploma: 47

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Cosmetology Certificate

C 55 14 0 C1

Contact: (336) 334-4822 ext. 50111

The Cosmetology Curriculum is designed to provide competency based knowledge, scientific/artistic principles and hands-on fundamentals associated with the cosmetology industry. The curriculum provides a simulated salon environment which enables students to develop manipulative skills.

Course work includes instruction in all phases of professional imaging, hair design, chemical processes, skin care, nail-care, multi-cultural practices, product knowledge, and other selected topics.

Graduates should qualify to sit for the State Board of Cosmetic Arts examination. Upon successfully passing the State Board exam, graduates will be issued a license. Employment is available in beauty salons and related businesses.

Program Outcomes:

Upon completion of Cosmetology certificate, the graduate should be able to:

  • Style hair according to accepted professional standards;
  • Perform manicures and pedicures according to accepted professional standards
  • Provide skin care services according to accepted professional standards
  • Restructure hair using chemical services according to accepted professional standards
  • Provide a safe and sanitized environment

Fall Semester I

Total Credits: 12

Spring Semester I

Total Credits: 14

Summer Semester I

Total Credits: 8

Total credit hours required for certificate: 34

1. COS Electives

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Cosmetology Instructor Certificate

C 55 16 0

Contact: (336) 334-4822 ext. 50111

Limited Enrollment Program:
Contact the Admissions Office for Program admission requirements and Program application deadlines.

The Cosmetology Instructor curriculum provides a course of study for learning the skills needed to teach the theory and practice of cosmetology as required by the North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Arts.

Course work includes requirements for becoming an instructor, introduction to teaching theory, methods and aids, practice teaching, and development of evaluation instruments.

Graduates of the program may be employed as cosmetology instructors in public or private education and business.

Program Outcomes:

Upon completion of the Cosmetology Instructor Certificate, the graduate should be able to:

  • Apply adult education principles to teach theories and skills in all areas of hair care, skincare, and nail care to students.
  • Demonstrate deliver of constructive feedback and effective communication skills, both orally and in writing, to students.
  • Develop theoretical and practical lesson plans.
  • Demonstrate a positive attitude, self-confidence, and professionalism.

Fall Semester I

Total Credits: 12

Spring Semester I

Total Credits: 12

Total credits required for the certificate: 24

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Frequently Asked Questions

Program Director: LaTia Hairston

LaTia Hairston has been a North Carolina licensed cosmetologist for 24 years and a North Carolina licensed cosmetology instructor for 18 years. Hairston previously taught as the lead instructor at Randolph Community College for 10 years, Regency Beauty Institute, The Cosmetology Institute, and Carolina Beauty College. She earned a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies from Winston-Salem State University and an Associate in Applied Science in Cosmetology from Randolph Community College. She also has earned several certificates of achievement from Milady’s Master Educator Career Institute. Hairston was featured on the cover of the fall 2016 Randolph Community College magazine and she served as one of three faculty marshals at the 2019 RCC graduation ceremony. Her most recent achievement was winning the GTCC Excellence in Teaching Award for the 2021-2022 school year.

She is no stranger to the beauty industry. She has been a part of the industry for over 20 years. She began in high school at age 16 when she enrolled in the cosmetology program at the Career Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Overall, her experience gained in the beauty industry has taught her the importance of making a positive impact in the lives of her students. Hairston has instructed all aspects of cosmetology, including hair, nails, skin care, instructor training, and ACA college student success courses. Her passion for providing a fun and motivating learning atmosphere is often demonstrated within the classroom. In 2007, she competed in and won an award for creating the "best educational classroom game." Carolina Beauty College awarded her the opportunity to attend the Cosmetology Educators of America Convention in Las Vegas. From this, she brought new knowledge back to her students and colleagues.

Hairston has been an active member of the North Carolina Community College Cosmetology Instructors Association for the past 14 years. She continues to volunteer and participate in career days at several elementary, middle, and high schools in the Triad area. She has mentored several graduating students for their high school senior project in the Asheboro City Schools and Randolph County Schools. She currently mentors graduates of the GTCC cosmetology and cosmetology instructor training programs. Hairston is also the advisor for GTCC Shear Beauty Club.

Hairston's favorite quote is, "The mediocre teacher tells; the good teacher explains, the superior teacher demonstrates, the great teacher inspires," by William Arthur Ward.

Instructor: Kathy Grant

Kathy Grant is a licensed cosmetologist and cosmetology instructor with over 39 years in the cosmetology industry. She obtained her cosmetology degree at Leon's Beauty School in 1981. She has worked in almost every aspect of the cosmetology industry. As a national artist she has taught all over the United States in many beauty schools, salons, hair shows and events. She has worked alongside some of the top stylists in the industry as well. She is well versed in all aspects of cosmetology with a specialty in hair color as a certified master colorist. She has owned and operated three salons since 1987. Currently, her position as an instructor at GTCC allows her to share her passion for this ever-changing industry with the students of GTCC. It is her desire to bring real-world experience to set her students up to be salon ready upon graduation.

Instructor: Vanessa James

Vanessa James has been a North Carolina cosmetology instructor for 23 years and a licensed cosmetologist for 30 years. She is originally from upstate New York and has lived in North Carolina for 17 years. She has taken cosmetology continuing education classes from Dudley Cosmetology University, Milady Institute, Redken, Matrix and Nu Expressions, just to name a few.

She has owned and operated her own salon (Ms. Vanessa's) while living in New York and worked for JC Penney Styling Salon, Supercuts, and Smart Styles while in North Carolina. James has taught cosmetology at Dudley Beauty College in Charlotte, North Carolina, Tri-Cities High School in East Point, Georgia, and taught in the North Carolina Community College System since 2009. She is also a member of the North Carolina Community College Cosmetology Instructor's Association.

She received an associate degree (A.G.E) in General Education, from James Sprunt Community College, attended North Carolina Wesleyan College and studied Organizational Leadership, and Career Technology Education at Georgia State University.

James says, "I have taught all aspects of cosmetology in my 23 years of teaching, while helping students progress to the next level. I enjoy bringing hands on training and experience to a diverse student population."

 

Yes, but certain requirements may apply. Please visit our Financial Aid web page or call the Financial Aid office at 336-334-4822, option 3.

Tuition rates are established by the N.C. General Assembly and are subject to change. Cosmetology students will need to buy a cosmetology uniform, along with appropriate footwear. Click here for the cost breakdown of the first semester and a list of additional items needed for this program.

Classes are held Monday through Friday. Students are required to clock in by 8 a.m. and are released at 2:30 p.m.

All cosmetology classes are taught during the day on the Jamestown Campus. We do not currently have an evening program.

The requirements vary depending on the certification you are obtaining. If you wish to obtain a certificate, you must complete (1,200) hours along with a required number of services regulated by the North Carolina State Board of Cosmetic Arts Examiners. If you wish to obtain a diploma, you must complete (1,500) hours along with a required number of services regulated by the North Carolina State Board of Cosmetic Arts Examiners. After the completion of both, the student would take the apprenticeship exam or the cosmetology exam to be issued a license.