Cosmetology

Students are prepared in everything needed to become a Licensed Cosmetologist by training in Hair Design, Nails and Skin, Color, Professional Practices and Salon Management, as well as Clinic experience. The goal of our program is to assist students in passing their state board exams and preparing them for the professional workplace.

Objective. Teachers will prepare students for careers in cosmetology using lecture and lab components. Students are given hands-on experience, as well as the practical theory, in areas such as shampooing, hair shaping, hair styling, permanent waving, hair color, hair straightening, skin care, manicuring, scalp treatment, and overall care of hair types and textures. Students will study the sciences of cosmetology including such topics as histology, trichology, chemistry, physiology, cosmetic dermatology, and electricity.

1350 hours, broken down. 3 semesters, lined up with the PA State Board exam categories:

• 315 hrs Hair Design: Cutting · Styling · Blowouts · Sectioning · Long & Short Hair
• 270 hrs Hair Color & Chemistry: Single Process · Highlights · Balayage · Corrective · The Redken Line
• 30 hrs Skin: Facials · Waxing · Skin Analysis · Treatment Recommendations
• 30 hrs Nails: Manicure · Pedicure · Gel · Acrylic · Nail Art Basics
• 135 hrs Professional Practices: Sanitation · Consultation · Client Retention · Ethics
• 450 hrs Student Clinic: Real Clients · All Services · Licensed Instructor Supervision
• 120 hrs State Board Preparation: Exam Prep · Cosmetology Skills Reinforcement · Practical Techniques

1350 hours, 100 above the PA minimum. Our 1350 hours cover all PA topics + 100.

Where you’ll practice. Our Monessen Student Clinic is a working salon serving areas including but not limited to Westmoreland, Washington, Fayette, and Allegheny Counties. All work done by students supervised by licensed instructors, with reduced costs, based on the reasonable cost of materials only. 450 hours of clinic time before you graduate, booked online via Fresha.

Milady. Redken. Both brand certifications are embedded in the curriculum: Redken Haircolor and Redken Product training, multiple hair extension installation techniques (DEC certificate of training provided) and professional photography of your work, included with the program.

A prospective student seeking admission to DEC must be a high school graduate or possess a General Education Development (GED) Diploma or recognized equivalency certificate. All programs require successful completion of the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Examination with a minimum score of 17. DEC admits, trains and refers students without regard to race, religion, age, national origin, sex or handicap. DEC is not authorized to enroll international students.

All Cosmetology programs’ (Cosmetology, Esthetics, and Esthetician and Nail Technologist) courses are scheduled Monday through Friday. In general, students attend four days per week; 7.5 hours per day for a total of 30 hours per week. Students do not attend class more than 8 hours per day or more than 40 hours per week.

Classes typically held Monday-Friday; 3-5 classes each semester (on-ground).

Classes start three times a year: February, June and October. Upcoming semester starts are February 9, 2027, June 9, 2027 and October 6, 2027.

Cost and fees (Catalog Vol. 69). Tuition is $5,350 per semester ($16,050 for 3 semesters). Program totals: application fee $50, registration fee $100, graduation fee $215, books $572, supplies $2,795, lab fee $600, technology fee $450, student support services fee $975 and exam/certification $150, for a program total of $21,957.

Per credit. A per credit rate of $375/credit is assessed when a student attends less than 12 credits or more than 17 credits per term.

Scholarships. The STAR Cosmetology Scholarship is worth $4,012.50 (25% of tuition) for new Cosmetology students.

Federal student aid. DEC is approved by the U.S. Department of Education for federal student financial assistance programs including the Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG, Federal Work Study and William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized, Unsubsidized and Parent PLUS). Complete the FAFSA at studentaid.gov using DEC’s Federal School Code 013957.

Payment. DEC accepts financial aid, agency funding (Veterans, Vocational Rehabilitation, job retraining benefits), cash, check, credit card and online payment at www.dec.edu/pay. Payment schedules are interest-free and do not extend beyond the semester or instructional period.

Veterans. DEC is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the training of veterans; eligible students may use the GI Bill® at DEC.

After graduation, you will be eligible to sit for the state licensing examination and begin your career as a professional Cosmetologist.

Employed by. Salons and spas across southwestern Pennsylvania have employed DEC cosmetology graduates, including Geno Levi Salon & Spa, Great Clips, Jacques Dessange Spa & Salon, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, Phillip Pelusi, Regis Hair Salon, Sephora, Sport Clips, Stephen Szabo Salon and Super Cuts.

Student outcomes. As reported to ACCSC in its 2025 Annual Report (reporting date July 1, 2025; cohort 10/22–9/23): graduation rate 89%, employment rate 87%, licensure rate 94%.

Cosmetology Academy. The Cosmetology Academy, home to the cosmetology programs, is located on the corner of Fourth Street and Schoonmaker Avenue. The building contains various pieces of equipment such as shampoo basins, hair dryers, manicure tables and chairs, pedicure chairs, facial steamers, dry and wet sterilizers, facial chairs, and mannequins. It houses offices, specialized classrooms, a library, and a student clinic which houses the latest in salon equipment.

Career Services for life. DEC graduates have access to Career Services for life at no cost. The team works with students from the time they begin their program through graduation and after, helping with resumes, portfolios, mock interviews and job search strategies.