Cosmetology is a Certificate program offered by Emerald Coast Technical College in DeFuniak Springs, FL. The program takes 1,200 clock hours (approximately 45 weeks) to complete, with a total tuition of $3,504. Tuition = 1,200 clock hours x $2.92 per clock hour (the College's 2026-2027 Florida-resident CTE rate, catalog p.76); lab fees = 1,200 x $2.25 per clock hour (catalog p.78). The total is the program page's printed Tuition & Fees (In-State) $6,489.
Program Overview
Cosmetology – 1,200 hours. If you are interested in learning the art, science and business of cosmetology from an experienced instructor in a career-focused salon you’ve found the right school in Emerald Coast Technical College.
While enrolled, you can study key aspects of cosmetology, including hair, facial, and nail care. You’ll practice in a full-service student salon. Working with professional tools and learning how to offer a variety of cosmetology services to actual clients of our student salon is a great way for you to build your professional skills and prepare for your state board exam. Our goal is to prepare you with practical skills and theoretical knowledge that can help transition from student to professional with confidence.
In order to begin work, cosmetologists must be licensed. Licensing requirements vary by state, but generally candidates are required to graduate from a cosmetology program and pass the state licensing exam.
Offered at. Main Campus (DeFuniak Springs).
What sets this Program apart
Industry certification. Industry certification: Licensed Cosmetologist.
Completion and placement, 2025. Completion - 100%; Placement - 78%; Licensure - 88%.
Approval. As an education services provider in the Walton County School District, authorized by the Florida Department of Education, the center is approved by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) to offer Cosmetology.
A full-service student salon. You’ll practice in a full-service student salon. Working with professional tools and learning how to offer a variety of cosmetology services to actual clients of our student salon is a great way for you to build your professional skills and prepare for your state board exam.
Money-Back Guarantee. This program is eligible for Florida’s Money-Back Guarantee Program at ECTC.
Admission Requirements and Process
Who may enroll. Students who have attained the age of 16 years, are beyond the age of compulsory school attendance, and who meet one or more of the following requirements may enroll in most Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs: a valid standard high school diploma; a GED® or other recognized equivalent of a high school diploma; a special diploma (specific provisions and restrictions apply); special admission provisions for persons with disabilities; a home-education affidavit; previously demonstrated competency in college credit/postsecondary coursework; or dual enrollment under F.S. 1007.271.
Transcripts. Students must provide documentation of the award of the valid standard high school diploma, GED®, or other recognized equivalent through official transcripts. Until ECTC receives official transcripts, the student is admitted on a provisional/conditional basis, and no financial aid will be disbursed.
Basic skills testing. Students who are enrolling in CTE programs over 450 hours in length and who do not meet certain exemption requirements should present current basic skills test scores (less than one year old). Students are required to attain appropriate exit scores before a certificate of program completion can be awarded.
Limited access programs. Limited access programs such as practical nursing, IT programs (at the main campus) and cosmetology require a student interview with career program staff prior to admission to the program. Waiting lists are maintained for some limited access programs and students may register and enroll only after receiving the appropriate program acceptance letter.
For this program. SPECIAL ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS, LIMITED ACCESS, COMPETITIVE PROGRAM: Students must interview for program selection. Students must submit TABE scores, special cosmetology application, and complete an interview for selection. A limited number of applicants are accepted into the program during each enrollment period. TABE and Wonderlic scores required. Students will be required to purchase an ECTC cosmetology kit immediately after enrollment begins. Cosmetology kit becomes the property of the student.
General Requirements
- AgeStudents must be at least 16 years of age and beyond the age of compulsory school attendance.
- High school diploma or equivalentProvide a valid standard high school diploma, GED® or other recognized equivalent through official transcripts, or meet another of the College’s admission provisions.
- Basic skillsPrograms over 450 hours require current basic skills test scores unless an exemption applies; this program’s basic skills level is 8 in Communications (Reading and Language Arts)…
- Florida residencyComplete residency paperwork and provide 2 supporting documents; in general, legal residence in Florida for a minimum period of 12 months immediately preceding the initial date of…
- Online orientationAll students are required to complete online orientation.
- Program interviewThis is a limited access program: a student interview with career program staff is required prior to admission.
- TestingTABE and Wonderlic scores are required, with a special cosmetology application.
Application Process
- 1Complete online orientationComplete Orientation/General Information Session. All students are required to complete online orientation, which includes financial aid, admissions, registration, and program offerings.
- 2Complete the general applicationThere is no cost for submitting the general school application. This application informs Admissions that you are interested in attending ECTC.
- 3Send transcripts and residency documentsRequest that official high school and any college transcripts be sent directly to ECTC, and complete residency paperwork with 2 supporting documents.
- 4Complete the program application and testingComplete the program application and application requirements for this limited access program, including the required testing (TEAS (ATI) for nursing applicants; Wonderlic for cosmetology applicants), then the program interview.
- 5Complete the FAFSAComplete your free financial aid application (FAFSA) using ECTC’s federal school code 041462.FAFSA Code for Main Campus: 041462FAFSA
- 6Register and payComplete registration for classes, pay registration fees and the parking fee if needed, then pay tuition & fees and purchase textbooks and supplies.
Program Schedule
Class offerings at the Main Campus (DeFuniak Springs).
- Full time (Monday - Thursday): 8:00AM - 4:00PM
Length. 1,200 clock hours, approximately 45 weeks.
Start dates. The application window is extended for January 2027 consideration; required documents are due by November 16, 2026.
Clock-hour schedule. Emerald Coast Technical College provides postsecondary career education on a clock-hour schedule. Full-time enrollment in a period may range from 450/525 clock hours to over 675 clock hours in limited-access, cohort-based programs (e.g., practical nursing).
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name |
|---|---|
| CSP0009 | Grooming and Salon Services Core, Facials and Nails |
| COS0002 | Cosmetologist and Hairdresser (1 of 3) |
| COS0003 | Cosmetologist and Hairdresser (2 of 3) |
| COS0009 | Cosmetologist and Hairdresser (3 of 3) |
| Totals |
Campus Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
Emerald Coast Technical College and Emerald Coast Technical College @ Magnet Innovation Center - Watersound are accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE). Emerald Coast Technical College is accredited by Cognia.
Programs are approved and regulated by the Florida Department of Education.
Accreditations
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Direct program costs (2026-2027). Cosmetology – 1,200 Clock Hours / 45 Weeks: Tuition & Fees (In-State) $6,489. Out-of-state tuition is higher.
How the figure breaks down. The College’s 2026-2027 CTE rate is $2.92 per clock hour for Florida residents (basic tuition $2.44, a student financial aid fee $.24, a capital improvement fee $.12 and a technology fee $.12), and lab fees are $2.25 per clock hour. For 1,200 clock hours that is $3,504 tuition and $2,700 lab fees; the rest of the published Tuition & Fees figure, $285, is other program fees the College does not itemise on this page.
Registration fee. A registration fee of $60.00 is assessed for each new program of enrollment during the school year. The registration fee is non-refundable. Students returning to the same program during the 2026-2027 school year will be assessed a $30.00 returning student registration fee.
Other published fees. Parking Fee $10.00; basic skills test $30 (depending on transcripts); TEAS $70; Wonderlic $15; transcript fee $5.00. Out-of-state tuition is $11.71 per clock hour; for Alabama residents in ECTC’s service area the 2026-2027 rate is $2.97 per clock hour.
Financial aid and funding. Federal Pell Grant (for eligible students); VA Education Benefits (for eligible beneficiaries); Florida Open Door Grant (for eligible students); Payment Plans Available. All students should complete the FAFSA; the Federal ID for Emerald Coast Technical College is 041462. Emerald Coast Technical College does not process or administer loans.
Money-Back Guarantee. In accordance with Section 1011.803, Florida Statutes, Emerald Coast Technical College participates in Florida’s Money-Back Guarantee Program for this program: a student who paid out-of-pocket, completed the program, earned the certificate and passed the required industry certification or licensure examination within three months, but was unable to obtain employment in the field within six months of completion, may be eligible for a tuition refund, subject to the program’s documented job-search and other requirements.
Refunds. Refunds will be processed by the business office of ECTC and the Walton County School District within 45 days of the last day of attendance if written notification has been provided by the student, or from the date ECTC terminates the student or determines the student to be withdrawn.
Curriculum
1,200 clock hours, approximately 45 weeks. Programs are developed in accordance with the State of Florida Department of Education Division of Career and Adult Education (DCAE) Curriculum Frameworks guidelines for student competency and skill attainment.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Total |
|---|---|---|
| CSP0009 | Grooming and Salon Services Core, Facials and Nails | 225 |
| COS0002 | Cosmetologist and Hairdresser (1 of 3) | 300 |
| COS0003 | Cosmetologist and Hairdresser (2 of 3) | 300 |
| COS0009 | Cosmetologist and Hairdresser (3 of 3) | 375 |
| Totals | 1,200 |
Career Outcomes
Employment wage statistics. Estimated 2026 wages in the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists: median annual wage $29,830 (Q1 $28,370, Q3 $35,330). Source: FL Labor Market Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics & Wages Program, as published in the College’s catalog.
Certification. Industry certification: Licensed Cosmetologist.
Articulation. Students who successfully complete selected CTE programs at ECTC may be able to benefit from Florida statewide articulation agreements that apply CTE program completion to Florida state college credits in specific AS/AAS programs.
What to expect as an Emerald Coast Technical College student
Orientation. All students are required to complete online orientation. The orientation provides information to acquaint students with general policies, procedures, functions, and personnel, and includes financial aid, admissions, registration, and program offerings. Program orientations are provided by instructors during the first few days of scheduled classes.
Orientation to technology. Orientation to technology is provided at the beginning of each scheduled term and includes instruction on accessing the student’s school account to review grades, financial accounts, etc. and setting up and accessing Microsoft® 365, at no cost to the student while enrolled. ECTC will supply students with required technology; students are not required to purchase devices or software.
Job placement and employment support. Student services and instructional staff offer assistance with employability skills, including job application completion, resume writing, interview skills, and job referral/job placement. Assistance is also available free of charge through CareerSource®/Regional Workforce personnel located on the main campus in Building #100.
Student Ambassador Program. The Student Ambassador Program is a leadership opportunity for students dedicated to serving and representing Emerald Coast Technical College. Student Ambassadors provide campus tours, serve as ECTC representatives, and perform duties at campus and community events.
Student services on both campuses. The full range of student services, including but not limited to academic and career counseling, financial aid, services for students with disabilities, admissions, registration, and testing, are made available to students on both campuses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Other Programs at Main Campus
Emerald Coast Technical College in DeFuniak Springs, FL also offers these 18 programs at 761 N. 20th Street, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433.
- Applied CybersecurityCertificate · 750 clock hours (approximately 26 weeks)
- Computer Systems & Information Technology (CSIT)Certificate · 900 clock hours (approximately 30 weeks)
- ElectricityCertificate · 1,200 clock hours (approximately 45 weeks)
- Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning/Refrigeration (HVAC/R) 1Certificate · 750 clock hours (approximately 26 weeks)
- Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning/Refrigeration (HVAC/R) 2Certificate · 600 clock hours (approximately 22 weeks)
- Master Automotive Service Technology 1Certificate · 1,050 clock hours (approximately 36 weeks)
- Master Automotive Service Technology 2Certificate · 750 clock hours (approximately 26 weeks)
- Network Support ServicesCertificate · 1,050 clock hours (approximately 36 weeks)
- Patient Care TechnicianCertificate · 600 clock hours (approximately 22 weeks)
- Pharmacy TechnicianCertificate · 1,050 clock hours (approximately 36 weeks)
- PhlebotomyCertificate · 165 clock hours (approximately 5 weeks)
- PlumbingCertificate · 1,080 clock hours (approximately 37 weeks)
- Practical NursingCertificate · 1,350 clock hours (approximately 45 weeks)
- Professional Nursing (LPN-RN)Certificate · 900 clock hours (approximately 52 weeks)
- Specialized Career Education, ComprehensiveCertificate · 900 clock hours (approximately 30 weeks)
- Specialized Career Education, ExtendedCertificate · 1,800 clock hours (approximately 60 weeks)
- Welding TechnologyCertificate · 1,050 clock hours (approximately 36 weeks)
- Welding Technology - AdvancedCertificate · 750 clock hours (approximately 26 weeks)