Certificate

• Cosmetology certificate programs, available at many educational institutions across the United States, generally take between 30 and 70 hours to complete. The prerequisite for the majority of these certificate programs is a high school diploma or its equivalent, but some might also require statements of intent, recommendations or portfolios of work. Students are taught techniques for caring for skin, hair and nails, such as manicures, facials and hair cutting. Additional coursework can include proper sanitation and sterilization, communication and business skills. Practice on the public is restricted to students who have completed a significant portion of the program.
  
  

Associate's Degree

• Students can also earn an associate's degree in cosmetology. As with certificate programs, students are trained in the areas of skin, nail and hair care. Although they are trained in all aspects of salons work, future cosmetologists earning an associate's degree choose an area of specialization such as skin, nails or hair cutting. While all students must learn the basics of each discipline, advanced courses are available in each area of focus. Associate's degree programs also often include general education classes, which are not offered to students in certificate programs.
  
  

Cosmetology Instructor License Certificate

• Cosmetology instructor license programs are available for individuals who have completed a certificate or associate's degree program in cosmetology, subsequently earned their cosmetology license and have worked in the field for a minimum of two years. These are certificate programs that take up to two years to complete. Students study aspects of education such as student learning, teaching theory, methods and aids and evaluation methods. This program is intended to prepare students to take the state-administered exam required for instructor licenses. The licensing process for cosmetology instructors varies among states.
  
  

Employment Outlook

• The 2010-2011 edition of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupation Outlook Handbook reports that job opportunities for cosmetologists were expected to increase up to 20% between 2008 and 2018. This significant growth is uncommon and attributed to the growth of the population. The Handbook also states that approximately 44% of personal appearance workers, including cosmetologists, are self-employed. Many job titles are available for individuals with a degree in cosmetology. These include makeup artists, salon managers, electrolysis specialists and estheticians.