Is This Program for You?

Do you have a love for style, enjoy helping others enhance their appearance and look their best, and enjoy working closely with the public? If you are also friendly, outgoing, and creative, then a career in Cosmetology may be a perfect fit. Students must complete 1550 hours of classroom instruction to meet the requirements of Southwest Wisconsin Technical College and the State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). If you want to work in Wisconsin, get licensed in Wisconsin. Make the transition from graduate to licensed Cosmetologist in Wisconsin easy.

Students entering the Cosmetology program should:

• Enjoy working closely with the public.
• Be friendly, outgoing, concerned for other people, and creative.
• Have good communication skills.
• Work well with others.

Program Basics

• Technical diploma requiring three semesters or more to complete.
• Financial aid available.
• Special equipment and uniforms required.
• Opportunities to attend professional salon, beauty, and fashion shows.

Cosmetology students must achieve a grade of C or better in each of the 502 program area courses to be eligible to progress from Semester 1 to Semester 2 and from Semester 2 into Semester 3. Students should check with instructor for updated regulations for taking the state Cosmetology licensure exam.

Note: In order to qualify for licensure for your cosmetology state board exam, you must be 18 years of age, have completed a minimum 1550 hours of instruction and the requirements of the Southwest Tech Cosmetology Program.

To graduate from this program and be eligible to take the state licensing examination, each student must:

• Successfully meet all Southwest Tech program requirements.
• Receive a passing grade of C in all program courses.
• Complete a minimum of 1550 theory and practical hours of training.

Cost of Attendance (COA) 25-26

Cost of Attendance (COA) is a total of all the usual expenses of being a student. The COA sets the maximum amount of financial aid a student can receive.

Based on Wisconsin Residents.

Approximate school costs are for a full-time (12 credit) student over a semester span of 17 weeks.

Fees are legislated by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board.

These costs are estimates and are subject to change without notice.

Admission and Program Requirements

• Submit Application
  
Admissions Preference Policy
Most programs admit students as applications are completed. For certain high-enrollment programs with limited space, applications are reviewed in order of residency and review dates. Programs currently in this category include Radiography, Electrical Power Distribution, Midwifery, Cosmetology, and Nail Technician. Learn more about our Admissions and Wait List Policy.

Academic Preparedness Requirements

Log in to your MySWTC account, go to My Profile → Document Center → All Programs to complete the following:


• Send your transcripts and scores to Southwest Tech: While not required, sending your transcripts and test scores helps us make sure your classes are the right fit. We consider any previous college credit you’ve earned, Accuplacer or ACT scores, high school GPA, or an assessment at your registration session. Submit your high school transcripts, college transcripts, and test scores by emailing admissions@swtc.edu, or mailing them to Southwest Tech, Attn: Admissions, 1800 Bronson Blvd, Fennimore, WI 53809
• Career Assessment Plan
  Start your Student Success Plan by exploring your career interests, talking through your program choice, and confirming your path feels like the right fit. This step can be completed either by setting up a One-on-One Career Assessment Meeting with a recruiter or as part of your Student Success Plan Meeting with an advisor. Schedule a Student Success Plan Meeting by clicking “Make an appointment” with your program advisor.
• Academic Map + Supports & Services Plan
  Continue building your Student Success Plan by planning your courses, reviewing funding options, and connecting with resources. To complete this step, schedule a Student Success Plan Meeting by clicking “Make an appointment” with your program advisor.

This program uses a waiting list because of limited capacity and high demand. That means there are often more applicants than available seats. The waiting list helps make admission fair, consistent, and transparent.

What the waiting list means for you

In-District Applicants
What this means: You live within the Southwest Tech district – Southwest Tech maps of the region, our district and campus

• Review Dates: Fall – November 1 | Spring – March 1 | Summer – August 1
• Applications received before the review date are held until preparedness requirements are complete.
• On the review date, applications are reviewed in the order they were received. If requirements are complete and there is space, you are accepted.
• If the program is full, you are placed on the wait list based on your application date.
• You may remain on the wait list from term to term until you are admitted, as long as you renew your status.

Out-of-District Wisconsin Applicants
What this means: You live in Wisconsin but not within the Southwest Tech district. If you’re unsure, check our Southwest Tech District Map.

• Review Dates: Fall – January 1 | Spring – April 1 | Summer – October 1
• Your application is reviewed after in-district residents.
• If you meet requirements and there is space, you are accepted.
• If the program is full, you are placed on the wait list in order of your application date.
• You may remain on the wait list from term to term until you are admitted, as long as you renew your status.

Out-of-State Applicants
What this means: You live outside of Wisconsin.

• Review Dates: Fall – March 1 | Spring – July 1 | Summer – December 1
• Your application is reviewed after in-district and out-of-district Wisconsin residents.
• If you meet requirements and there is space, you are accepted.
• If the program is full, you may be placed on the wait list, but only for the term you applied for.
• Out-of-state applicants cannot carry their wait list status into future terms. If you are not admitted for the term you applied for, you will need to submit a new application.

Program Outcomes

At the completion of the program, students are expected to be able to:

• Perform shampoo, haircut, and style service
• Perform skin care services
• Perform chemical services
• Perform nail services
• Develop business practices for industry success

This program prepares graduates for licensing as a Cosmetology Practitioner (hair designer). A Cosmetology student can automatically practice all nail services that a Manicurist performs under the Cosmetology License.

Southwest Tech's Career Connections Center offers Services to assist students looking for job placement.

Credit for Prior Learning

Experience Pays! You've Been There... You've Done That... Let's See If You Can Get Credit For It!

Credit for prior learning gives you opportunities to earn credit for college-level knowledge that you have already acquired. This may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military training, extensive self-instruction, or professional development. Credit for Prior Learning affords you the opportunity to accelerate the completion of your educational goals.

For more information on Credit for Prior Learning see our Credit for Prior Learning page.

At any time, you may Request Credit for Prior Learning.

Courses that may have Credit for Prior Learning options: