Cosmetology

The Cosmetology program at the Capital Region Career & Technical School teaches students the competencies and professional skills necessary to pass the New York State Board practical and written licensing exams. Only licensed cosmetologists may work in salons in New York State, and to sit for the licensing exam, they must complete a minimum of 1,000 hours of approved instruction. 

Students attend the Cosmetology program for two years, including a summer school session, to satisfy the hours requirement. Students engage in hands-on learning where theory is applied and skills and competencies are strengthened. A clinic open to members of the local community provides students with real life experience in their field.

The program features integrated academics including English/language arts, applied math and science, and practical chemistry, for which some schools grant high school credit in addition to the career and technical program credit. 

Career opportunities:
Cosmetology salon or school owner
Platform artist
Desairologist
Electrologist
Hair colorist/specialist
Hair stylist
Makeup artist or demonstrator
Manicurist/nail technician
Skin care specialist
Product educator/demonstrator
Salon manager
Research technician

Units of study:
Bacteriology
Decontamination and infection control
Properties of the hair and scalp
Shampooing, rinsing, conditioning
Hair cutting and coloring
Artistry in hair styling
Thermal hair styling
Wet hair styling
Hair coloring
Chemical hair relaxing and soft curl permanents
Thermal hair pressing
The artistry of artificial hair
Manicuring
The nail and its disorders
Removing unwanted hair
Cells, anatomy and physiology
Electricity and light therapy
Chemistry
The salon business
Integrated science (1st year students)
Integrated English (2nd year students)

Portfolio:
Students create a portfolio which they present to teachers, administrators, peers and/or industry professionals. The portfolio includes employability information and exemplary work in technical and communication skills that students have created and developed over the course of the year. 

Academic prerequisites:
 - 10th grade reading level/passed the competency exam
 - 8th grade math level/passed the competency exam
 - Application/assessment (Albany campus only; given there)

Suggested prerequisites:
 - Ability to meet physical demands of profession
 - Ability to communicate
 - Good hand-eye coordination
 - Keyboarding
 - Introduction to computers
 - Science
 - Art

College credit:
The Capital Region Career & Technical School has an articulation agreement with Schenectady County Community College (1 credit in Ethics received senior year) 

Teacher profiles:
Patricia Gollub
Jean Hoffer
Nancy Schmidt