Diploma in Cosmetology

Program Description

Cosmetologists provide personal care services that include caring for people’s hair, skin and nails. Professionals employed in the cosmetology industry include hairstylists, barbers and estheticians. This diploma program takes students through the Esthetics group of skin and nail treatments, and Hairstylist training. The Hairstylist and Esthetics programs are each approximately 32 weeks in length and are combined with a professional portfolio course at the end to complete the 2-year diploma in Cosmetology. 
Hairstylist and Esthetics both begin every September. Once a student completes one of the programs, they can proceed to the other in their second year (the order each are taken is not important). 
Both programs have large practical components where students will spend time working in the NLC salons. Students will have theory, salon operations training and hands-on salon client days where they practice the skills they are learning in class. 
Esthetics includes training in infection control, facials, body massage, body treatments, aromatherapy, makeup artistry, waxing, lash lift and tinting, brow tinting, manicures, pedicures, gel polish and overlays.
Hairstylist training covers the Industry Training Authority (ITA) certified apprenticeship programming including haircuts, styling, shampoo and scalp treatments, as well as chemically treating hair using colour and permanent wave solutions. 
Throughout both these two programs, students will be working on their professional portfolio and at end they will produce a capstone project which will combine the two disciplines into a final project.

Career Prospects

A career in Cosmetology can lead to various professions in the beauty industry, including hairstylist, nail technician, salon or spa manager, beautician, wedding and event stylist, makeup artist, esthetician, cosmetic sales representative, instructor or beauty columnist. As with any profession, other opportunities exist within and outside the field.

Details

Location: Dawson Creek - South Peace Campus

Length: Approximately 64 weeks / 1931 hours 

Start: September

Fees: Current Fee Schedule 

Admission Prerequisites

Math – one of the following:
BC Math 10 (minimum final grade of C+), or BC Math 11 or BC Math 12 (minimum final grade of C), or equivalent.
MATH 030 or higher, with a minimum final grade of C+, or equivalent.

English – one of the following:
BC Language Arts 10 Courses – 4 credits earned, minimum individual grade of C+, or equivalent.
BC Language Arts 11 Courses – 4 credits earned, minimum individual grade of C+, or equivalent.
BC Language Arts 12 Courses – 4 credits earned, minimum individual grade of C+, or equivalent.
ENGL 030 or higher, with a minimum final grade of C+, or equivalent.
IELTS score of 5.5 overall with no band less than 5.0 or equivalent English placement test and score.

OR

ESTR 037 (Intermediate-Level Essential Skills for Trades) with a minimum final grade of 67%.

OR

Canadian Adult Achievement Test (CAAT):
  • Reading Comprehension: 11.0 grade equivalent or higher
  • Number Operations: 11.0 grade equivalent or higher
  • Problem Solving: 11.0 grade equivalent or higher
  • Science: 11.0 grade equivalent or higher

Based on the results of the assessment(s), applicants may be required to participate in an assessment interview to determine admissibility. Interviews may be conducted via teleconference if necessary.

OR

Successful completion of the NLC POWER program.

OR

Completion of NLC's Certificate in Hairstylist Foundation program

OR 

Completion of NLC's Certificate in Esthetics program. 

Important Notes

  1. The program is eligible for Canada Student Loans. Visit StudentAid BC to apply for financial assistance online.  Note that dual credit students are not eligible for Student Aid.
  2. Basic equipment kits for both hairstyling and for esthetics are provided to each student at the beginning of each part of the two programs. These kits include tools necessary for each program.
  3. The program is affiliated with the Industry Training Authority and SD 59, 60, 81 and 87.
  4. As NLC’s South Peace campus is connected to the Dawson Creek High School - South Peace campus, the Criminal Records Review Act requires that all students over the age of 19 before classes begin must complete a Schedule Type B Criminal Record Check (CRC). Costs related to the CRC will be paid by the College; please contact the NLC Admissions Officer for more information.
  5.  Students are required to have a computer (laptop or other mobile device) with minimum computer requirements as listed on the NLC website (www.nlc.bc.ca/Services/Information-Technology/minPC).
  6. The information on this program page is a summary of the official Program Completion Guide (effective Sept 2022) approved by NLC’s Education Council. Download a PDF of the Program Completion Guide.

APPLY NOW for the Cosmetology program

Do you need more information?
trades@nlc.bc.ca

Courses

HAIR 101 Hairstylist Fundamentals 
HAIR 102 Hairstylist Salon Operations 
COSM 101 Hairstylist Portfolio 
ESTH 105 Esthetics and Spa Therapy 1 
ESTH 115 Esthetics and Spa Therapy 2 
COSM 102 Esthetics Portfolio 
COSM 250 Cosmetology Capstone