Cosmetology

Technical Diploma
Human-Services-Cluster-Icon

Why choose Cosmetology?

  • When a beauty professional connects with their clients, making them look and feel great triggers a personal transformation.
  • Do you have a creative streak? Cosmetologists are the artists who dream up dynamic, eye-popping looks for any occasion and master techniques to flatter every face.
  • Because cosmetology is so frequently about trends and change, it’s a great career for creative people who love to learn.
Cosmetologists cut and style hair and perform color treatments and chemical texture services. They also administer facials, perform manicures and pedicures, and apply makeup. But if you’ve ever had a great haircut or an elegant manicure you know that beauty services are really about people. When a beauty professional connects with their clients, making them look and feel great triggers a personal transformation.

Program Locations

Wisconsin Rapids Campus
500 32nd Street North
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494

What You'll Learn

Combined with successful completion of the state licensing exam, Mid-State’s Cosmetology program provides the theory and practice you need to build your cosmetology career. Students study hair cutting, perming/relaxing, and styling, as well as facial and scalp treatments, barbering, makeup, pedicuring, manicuring, and more. The program emphasizes sanitation and safety.

You’ll learn from experienced instructors, guest lectures, demonstrations, industry representatives, and platform artists. Your practice will progress from working on mannequins to providing services in the on-campus salon. Many other hands-on opportunities are available, including job shadowing.

Mid-State’s Cosmetology program prepares students to obtain the required licensure to be employed/practice in the state of Wisconsin. The College does not guarantee its curriculum matches the requirements for preparation, examination, or licensure for other states.

Outcomes

  • Apply safety and sanitation procedures.
  • Adhere to the current Wisconsin administrative codes and statutes for cosmetology.
  • Demonstrate interpersonal skills for success.
  • Perform hair cutting services.
  • Perform shampoo services.
  • Perform skin care services.
  • Perform texture services.
  • Perform hair color services.
  • Demonstrate hair styling and finishing techniques.
  • Perform nail services.
  • Develop strategies to market products and services.

Employability Skills

  • Behave Responsibly: Ethical Behavior, Self-Responsibility, Conflict Resolution, Collaboration
  • Communicate Effectively: Writing, Technical Documentation, Listening, Speaking, Interpersonal Communication, Reading
  • Critical & Creative Thinking: Inquiry, Evidence Collection, Analysis, Reasoning, Reflection (Metacognition)
  • Cultural, Social, & Global Awareness: Global Awareness, Social & Cultural Awareness, Social Responsibility
  • Use Appropriate Technology: Use of Technology, Confidentiality, Security, Digital Civility

Learn more about employability skills at Mid-State.

Estimated Entire Program Cost

Cost based on the 2024/25 academic year.

  • Tuition & Fees: $5,754.01
  • Books: $364.00
  • Supplies, Uniforms, and/or Exams: $1,315.10
  • Total Estimated Cost: $7,433.11

Financial Aid Eligibility

This program is eligible for full Financial Aid

Cost of Attendance

Learn more about Cost of Attendance, an estimated budget that includes categories of expenses a student can expect to incur while attending. 

This course has options available to receive credit for prior learning (CPL) or work experience.

Term: 1
  Catalog# Title Credits
  31502347 Haircolor 3
  31502334 Hairstyling 3
  31502335 Haircutting 3
  31502336 Chemical Texture Services 3
  31502337 Nail Technology 1
  31502340 Facials 1
  Term Total   14 Credits
       
Term: 2
  Catalog# Title Credits
  31502316 Theory of General Sciences 1
  31502338 Salon Operations 1
  31502342 Capstone Experience 3
  31502343 Salon Client Relations 4
  31502344 Salon Ecology & Industry Trends 4
  Term Total   13 Credits
       
Term: 3
  Catalog# Title Credits
  31502349 Salon Communication & Management 3
  31502350 Salon Sales & Marketing 3
  Term Total   6 Credits
       
  Program Total   33 Credits

Instructors

STACY BROCK, BA

Stacy received a bachelor of arts degree in 2014 from Concordia University Wisconsin. She also received her technical diploma for Cosmetology in 1997. Stacy worked for a corporate salon in addition to owning her own salon before pursuing her teaching career. She is currently a full-time instructor and program director at Mid-State for the Cosmetology and Barber Technologist programs. She believes in hard work and is very dedicated to the cosmetology industry. She enjoys sharing her passion for the industry in the classroom.

“Work hard in silence and let your success make the noise.”


HOLLIE VAN DE LOOP, AAS

Hollie earned her technical certificates in Cosmetology and Barbering from Mid-State in 2017 and holds Wisconsin state licensure for both. Previously she completed her associate in applied science at Northcentral Technical College. She started out teaching part-time in Mid-State’s Cosmetology and Barbering Technology programs before transitioning into a full-time role.  

“I loved my experience here at Mid-State as a student and am very excited that I now get to teach here and share my passion for the beauty industry with all the students to come.”

Careers

  • Cosmetologist
  • Makeup Artist
  • Manicurist/Pedicurist
  • Barber
  • Cosmetic Sales
  • Esthetician
  • Nail Technician

Video

Fast-Track

High school students are eligible to enroll in this program and all courses required. Learn more about Mid-State Fast-Track.

“I couldn't have asked for a better education. My instructors were some of the most incredible people, and they were willing to do whatever was necessary to help everyone.”

LESLIE TRIONE
GRADUATE

Choose Your Path

Career pathways help you take your education one step at a time to maximize your investment and make college fit your life. Earn a credential and start using it in the workforce. Continue with another stack of related courses to gain a more advanced diploma or degree. Explore this program’s pathway in the graphic below. For an even quicker first step to a degree or diploma, check out our short-term certificates.

TransferDual CreditCredit for Prior Learning

Cosmetology Pathway