Cosmetology

Grayson College’s cosmetology programs may be completed in one year or less, and offers more affordable tuition rates when compared to private training programs.

GC students train in a modern salon environment and earn experience hours with patrons from the community. The Cosmetology Salon is located in the Career and Technology Center on the Main Campus. Training options include:

A complete one-year Cosmetology Certificate Program prepares students with professional skills for hair styling, manicures, pedicures, skincare, hair shaping, chemical reformation, principles of hair coloring, and other related courses.


The Nail Technician Program prepares students with professional skills in manicuring, nail structure and growth, advance nail techniques, and other related courses.  It is a 5 (five) month one semester certificate program, where successful students earn certificates of graduation and then are eligible to apply for the State Board Examination. Students who successfully complete the state exam will then become a licensed Nail Technician.


Esthetician and Skin Care Specialist Program prepares students with professional skills for skin-care and other related courses. It is a 9 (nine) month certificate program, where upon completion of the program, students are awarded certificates of graduation and are then eligible to apply for the State Board Examination. Students who successfully complete the state exam will then become a licensed Esthetician & Skin Care Specialist.


The Cosmetology Instructor Program prepares licensed cosmetologists with professional skills for teaching. Upon completion of the program students will be awarded certificates of completion and then become eligible to apply for the Instructor State Board Examination. Grayson College offers the training in a 9 (nine) month certificate program, or a 5 (five) month certificate program for cosmetologists with at least one year of work experience in the cosmetology field.

Course Requirements

  • The Cosmetology  Certificate Program requires a High School Diploma or GED, completion of  42 semester hours of cosmetology courses and 1000 clock hours. High School students in the 11th grade may enter, but must complete the high school requirements before receiving their certificate with 1000 hours of cosmetology and completion of high school diploma.
  • The Nail Technician Program requires a High School Diploma or GED, must be 17 years of age and completion of 600 clock hours. 
  • The Esthetician and Skin Care Specialists Program requires a High School Diploma or GED, must be 17 years of age and completion of 750 hours.
  • The Cosmetology Instructor Program requires a High School Diploma or GED, must be 18 years of age and completion of 750 clock hours for the nine-month program and 500 clock hours for the five-month program. 

Students should contact the Admissions Office prior to enrollment. Prerequisite for cosmetology is CSME 1401 and CSME 1405, for Esthetics CSME 1348 with a passing grade of 70%.


Capstone Experience

  • Certificate in Cosmetology requires successful completion of CSME 2441 with at least a 70% and mock Cosmetology State Board Exam.
  • Certificate in Nail Technology requires successful completion of CSME 1443 with at least a 70% and a mock State Board Exam. 
  • Certificate in Esthetician and Skin Care requires successful completion of CSME 2431 with at least a 70% and a mock Esthetician State Board Exam. 
  • Certificate in Cosmetology Instructor requires successful completion of CSME 2445 with at least a 70% and mock Instructor State Board Exam. 

Local Employers

J. Toland, Big Apple Beauty Mall, Pro-Cuts, JCPenney, Continental, Ulta, Great Clips, Bella Fontana

Cosmetology - Certificate

Cosmetology Certificate Curriculum
Subject Semester Hours
CSME 1401 (Orientation to Cosmetology) 4
CSME 1405 (Fundamentals of Cosmetology) 4
CSME 1443 (Manicuring and Related Theory) 4
CSME 1410 (Introduction to Haircutting and Related Theory) 4
CSME 1453 (Chemical Reformation and Related Theory) 4
CSME 2501 (The Principles of Hair Coloring and Related Theory) 5
CSME 1451 (Artistry of Hair, Theory and Practice)  4
CSME 1447 (Principles of Skin Care/Facials and Related Theory)  4
CSME 2439 (Advanced Hair Design)  4

CSME 2441 (Preparation for Texas Cosmetology Commission Examination) 

4
total: 41

Upon completion of 41 semester hours of Cosmetology courses and completion of 1000 clock hours, the student will be issued a certificate of completion and become eligible to apply for the Cosmetology State Board Exam.

Capstone Experience: Pass CSME 2441 with at least 70% and a mock Cosmetology State Board Exam.

Cosmetology to Barber - Certificate

Available Spring 2023

Cosmetology to Barber Certificate Curriculum
Subject Semester Hours
BARB 1402 (Barber Styling I) 4
BARB 1442 (Barber Styling II) 4
BARB 2431 (Advanced Barber Styling I) 4
BARB 2441 (Advanced Barber Styling II) 4
total: 16

Esthetician and Skin Care Specialist - Certificate

Esthetician and Skin Care Specialist Certificate Curriculum
Subject Semester Hours
CSME 1348 (Principles of Skin Care) 3
CSME 1547 (Principles of Skin Care/Facials and Related Theory)  5
CSME 1521 (Principles of Facial/Esthetics Technology)  5
CSME 1545 (Principles of Facial/Esthetics Technology II) 5
CSME 2431 (Principles of Facial/Esthetics Technology III) 4
total: 22

Upon completion of 22 semester hours of Esthetician courses and completion of 750 clock hours, the student will be issued a certificate of completion and become eligible to apply for the Esthetician State Board Exam. Capstone Experience: Pass CSME 2431 with at least 70% and a mock Esthetician State Board Exam.

Nail Technician - Certificate

Nail Technician Certificate Curriculum
Subject Semester Hours
CSME 1430 (Orientation to Nail Technology) 4
CSME 1431 (Principles of Nail Technology I)  4
CSME 1441 (Principles of Nail Technology II) 4
CSME 1443 (Manicuring and Related Theory)  4
total: 16

Upon completion of 16 semester hours of Nail Technician courses and completion of 600 clock hours, the student will be issued a certificate of completion and become eligible to apply for the Nail Technician State Board Exam.

Capstone Experience: Pass CSME 1443 with at least 70% and a mock State Board Exam.

Cosmetology Instructor - Certificate

Cosmetology Instructor Certificate Curriculum
Subject Semester Hours
CSME 1535 (Orientation to the Instruction of Cosmetology) 5
CSME 1434 (Cosmetology Instructor I) 4
CSME 2414 (Cosmetology Instructor II)  4
CSME 2449 (Cosmetology Instructor III) 4
CSME 2444 (Cosmetology Instructor IV) 4
CSME 2445 (Instructional Theory & Clinic Operations) 4
total: 25

Upon completion of 25 semester hours of Instruction courses and completion of 750 clock hours, the student will be issued a certificate of completion and become eligible to apply for the Instructor State Board Exam. Capstone Experience: Pass CSME 2445 with at least 70% and a mock Instructor State Board Exam.

Cosmetology Instructor - Certificate

(with at least one year of work experience in the cosmetology field)

Cosmetology Instructor (with Experience) Certificate Curriculum
Subject Semester Hours
CSME 1535 (Orientation to the Instruction of Cosmetology) 5
CSME 1434 (Cosmetology Instructor I) 4
CSME 2444 (Cosmetology Instructor IV) 4
CSME 2445 (Instructional Theory & Clinic Operations)  4
total: 17

Upon completion of 17 semester hours of instruction courses and completion of 500 clock hours, the student will be issued a certificate of completion and become eligible to apply for the Instructor State Board Exam

Capstone Experience: Pass CSME 2445 with at least 70% and Mock Instructor State Board Exam.

An introduction of the theory and practice of skin care.

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An overview of the skills and knowledge necessary for the field of cosmetology. Corequisite: CSME 1405, Fundamentals of Cosmetology

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A course in the basic fundamentals of cosmetology. Topics include safety and sanitation, service preparation, manicure, facial, chemical services, shampoo, haircut, wet styling, and comb out.

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An overview of the fundamental skills and knowledge necessary for the field of nail technology.

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A course in the principles of nail technology. Topics include anatomy, physiology, theory, and skills related to nail technology.

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The fundamentals of instructing cosmetology students.

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A continuation of the concepts and principles of nail technology. Topics include professional ethics, salon management, client relations, and related skills of nail technology.

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Presentation of the theory and practice of nail services. Topics include terminology, application, and workplace competencies related to nail services.

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In-depth coverage of the theory and practice of skin care, facials and cosmetics.

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Instruction in the artistry of hair design. Topics include theory, techniques and application of hair design.

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Presentation of the theory and practice of chemical reformation including terminology, application, and workplace competencies.

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An introduction to the principles of facial and skin care technology. Topics include anatomy, physiology, theory, and related skills of facial and skin care technology

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An overview of the skills and knowledge necessary for the instruction of cosmetology students

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A continuation of the concepts and principles in skin care and other related technologies. Topics include advanced instruction in anatomy, physiology, theory, and related skills of facial and skin care.

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In-depth coverage of the theory and practice of skin care, facials, and cosmetics

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A continuation of the fundamentals of instructing cosmetology students.

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Demonstrate professional ethics, salon management, and develop client relations and related skills in preparation for the Texas Cosmetology Commission examination.

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Advanced concepts in the theory and practice of hair design.

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Preparation for the Texas Cosmetology Commission Operator Examination

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Advanced concepts of instruction in a cosmetology program. Topics include demonstration, development, and implementation of advanced evaluation techniques.

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An overview of the objectives required by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Instructor Examination.

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Presentation of lesson plan assignments and evaluation techniques.

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Last updated: 12/12/2022