Esthetics Certificate
The esthetics certificate program prepares students for entry level positions in salons, day spas. Future skin care professional employment may include positions as skin care specialists, hair removal specialists, spa management, sales or product representatives.
Students participate in realistic training through the student-operated spa on campus. Students perform services on live models. Services performed include facials, temporary hair removal, body wrap techniques, superficial chemical peels, electricity therapies, and microdermabrasion. Curriculum includes all related first aid, safety, and sanitation procedures.
Employability Requirements
To qualify for an esthetician’s license from the Washington State Department of Licensing, a student must successfully complete the technical courses offered in the program, complete 834 hours of technical instruction, and pass the esthetic written and practical exams for the Department of Licensing.
Program Length
This program is a combination of online, classroom, laboratory and practical experience in our on-campus spa. It is approximately three quarters long, depending on the time students need to satisfactorily complete all graduation requirements.
Admission Dates
Summer, fall, winter, and spring quarters.
Accreditation
This school is licensed under chapter 18.16 RCW. Inquiries, concerns, or complaints regarding this school can be made to the Washington State Department of Licensing.
Mailing Address:
Professional Licensing Support Services
Department of Licensing
PO Box 9026
Olympia, WA 98507-9026
Phone: 360-664-6645
Email: plssunit@dol.wa.gov
Program Outcomes
• Apply the foundational principles of skin sciences to include but not limited to diseases and disorders, histology & physiology, anatomy & physiology as it pertains to esthetics
• Apply principles of microorganisms in order to prevent disease transmission in a salon or spa utilizing safety and sanitation protocols.
• Perform various popular beautification techniques to enhance the client's self image to include lash enhancements, brow grooming and basic makeup application.
• Utilize the principals and techniques of temporary hair removal to include waxing, sugaring and tweezing.
• Apply basic body treatments for the individual client’s image and self-care.
• Perform facial procedures, skin care therapies and relaxation massage techniques for the health of the skin.
• Apply diverse product knowledge and ingredient break down, to include indications and contraindications in order to customize individual skin care therapies safely.
• Plan for career placement to include resume and cover letter building, basics of interviewing skills and the fundamentals of business ownership.
• Prepare for state board examinations for both written and practical under the guidelines of the Department of Licensing.
• Apply skin care therapies in a spa setting to include superficial levels of exfoliation and utilizing industry standard equipment and products.
Completion Requirements
Prerequisite(s)
Students must be at least 16 years of age to start earning hours towards the Washington State education requirements. A mandatory orientation is required before admission to the program.
Program Course List
| ES 160 | Beauty Basics | 6 |
| ES 162 | Diseases & Disorders of the Skin | 3 |
| ES 164 | Histology & Physiology of the Skin | 3 |
| ES 166 | Salon Safety & Sanitation | 2 |
| ES 168 | Temporary Hair Removal | 4 |
| ES 170 | Anatomy & Physiology for Estheticians | 3 |
| ES 172 | Basic Body Treatments | 2 |
| ES 174 | Basic Cosmetic Chemistry | 3 |
| ES 176 | Facial Procedures | 8 |
| ES 178 | Herbal & Aromatherapy for Skin Care | 2 |
| ES 100 | Clinical Applications 1 | 7 |
| ES 180 | Basic Exfoliation | 5 |
| ES 182 | Career Development & Business Practices | 2 |
| ES 184 | Machine Facials | 4 |
| ES 185 | State Board Prep 1 | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 56 |
General Education requirements
| COLL 102 | College Success for All | 3 |
| CMST& 220 | Public Speaking | 5 |
| | Or | |
| ENGL& 101 | English Composition I | 5 |
| | | |
| PSYC& 100DIV | General Psychology | 5 |
| | Or | |
| SOC& 101DIV | Introduction to Sociology | 5 |
| | Or | |
| | Any college-level Social Science or Humanities course that meets the diversity requirement | 5 |
| | | |
| MAT 111 | Math for Cosmetology/Esthetics Professionals | 5 |
| | Or | |
| | Any 100-Level Math Class | 5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |