Cosmetology
Technical Diploma
30 Credits | 1 Year
Technical Diploma | Financial Aid-Eligible
Rice Lake, Superior
Hybrid and On Site instruction
Career Cluster: Human Services
In this high-quality, two-semester Cosmetology program, you will learn the essential technical skills required to properly care for people's hair, skin and nails. Apply your creativity, artistic design, effective customer service skills and cutting-edge practices to a career as a cosmetologist, barber, color technician, make-up artist, nail technician or esthetician.
Program Overview
The Cosmetology program prepares you with essential theory and hands-on instruction to develop your skills in cosmetology. You'll learn theories and techniques that are reflective of industry standards and apply these skills working with real clients in Northwood Tech's state-of-the-art salons. Upon successful completion, you will be eligible to take the Wisconsin Cosmetology Practitioner License examination.
Program Outcomes
Cosmetology graduates will be able to:
- Perform shampoo, haircut, and style service
- Perform skin care services
- Perform chemical services
- Perform nail services
- Develop business practices for industry success
Technical Standards
In this program, students should be able to meet specific technical standards, which are the essential skills and abilities needed to be successful in a program, with or without reasonable accommodation. It is important to review and understand these standards before applying to the program.
In this two semester program, you'll develop skills in the fundamentals of hair sculpture, hair design, chemical texture, hair color, nail care and design, esthetics, advanced techniques and client services.
Learn by doing.
This Cosmetology program is the most cost-effective program in the region.
Upon completion, you may take the Wisconsin Cosmetology Practitioner License Examination.
Academics
Full program course offerings are available at the Rice Lake and Superior campuses. Fall and spring semester starts are available.
Highly Trained, Passionate Instructors
Learn with highly-trained and passionate licensed Cosmetology instructors who bring a multitude of experience to the learning environment. Every instructor is committed to your success.
Pivot Point Legacy Partner School
This designation reflects an educational program consisting of distinctive techniques of scientific hair designing and cosmetology. Techniques from this program are taught in educational institutions around the world.
Extracurricular Activities
Participate in community-based field trips, local salon visits, campus and club activities, hair shows and competitions.
Required Courses
Coursework addresses the essential theoretical and practical instruction to develop skills in cosmetology fundamentals, hair sculpture, hair design, chemical texture, hair color, nail care and design, esthetics, advanced cosmetology techniques and client services that is reflective of industry standards and trends.
Featured Cosmetology Courses
Admissions and Tuition
Northwood Tech has an easy admission process that can be completed in one visit. Please see the details under the "Requirements and Application" section to get started.
Tuition and Fees
Northwood Tech breaks down the cost of education, so you'll have a good idea of how much your education will cost.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available to help you pay for your education. It can come in the form of grants, loans, federal work-study, military and veterans benefits, division of vocational rehabilitation benefits, and scholarships.
Learn More About Paying for College
Cost of Attendance
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of the costs that you may incur while attending Northwood Technical College.
Estimated Total Program Tuition 2024-25*
Cosmetology
30 Credits | 1 Year
$5,026
Plus $2,700 for Cosmetology Kit
*Tuition is an estimate and does not include any miscellaneous fees for various courses, tools, books, supplies or uniforms. Program book costs are in addition to tuition and fees and vary depending on course selection and where the books are purchased or rented.
After the Northwood Tech Cosmetology Program
Upon completion of the program, you will earn a technical diploma in Cosmetology.
Transfer Center
Transfer your Northwood Tech credits to a four-year college to earn your bachelor's degree and beyond.
Career Outlooks
Northwood Tech's graduates experience success. Learn more about the types of careers you can get after graduation.
Professional Licensure and/or Certification Information
Northwood Tech’s Cosmetology technical diploma is designed to prepare students to meet the educational requirements for licensure to be employed/practice in the state of Wisconsin and Minnesota. The College has not determined and does not guarantee its required courses meet the requirements for preparation, examinations, or licensure in states/territories other than Wisconsin and Minnesota as documented on the licensure and certification disclosure webpage. Students who may be seeking professional licensure or certification in states/territories other than Wisconsin or Minnesota should contact the appropriate licensing board in that state to verify that the Northwood Tech program meets licensure or certification requirements. To be eligible for testing and/or licensing in the state of Wisconsin or Minnesota, you may be required to obtain a social security number.
Out-of-State applicants sign a Professional Licensure Disclosure Form.
For more information, visit:
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services