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Madison College cosmetology students
Cosmetology Apprenticeship
Program Number: 505021
Your Degree:
Apprenticeship
Area of Study:
Culinary, Hospitality and Fitness
Delivery Method:
Some Online/Some In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
8 Credits | Finish paid training and class time in 2 years
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What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.

Estimated Program Cost

$1,403.72
  • Program Overview

    Apprentice at a local salon of your choice and get real-world experience from your sponsor. You will earn income during all phases of the training period, including the time you spend in the classroom. The costs for the materials you need to complete your apprenticeship are 100% covered too. 

    To get started, find a salon willing to apprentice you. You and the salon manager will work with the Department of Workforce Development to create an apprenticeship contract. Once Madison College receives this contract, you will be invited to our apprenticeship orientation. 

    An apprenticeship requires 4,000 hours of paid training. 288 hours of that training are spent in the classroom. 

    In the Salon

    You will train a minimum of 32 hours per week under a licensed professional while learning these skills: 

    • Haircutting for all hair types
    • Professional hair color
    • Hair design and styling
    • Nail technology
    • Manicures and pedicures
    • Scalp and facial treatments
    • Cosmetic makeup analysis
    • Clean/style wigs and hairpieces
    • Infection control
    • Client relations
    • Retail methodology
    • Permanent waving
    • Shampooing and deep conditioning

    In Class

    You will attend class four-and-a-half hours per week over four semesters. 

    100% attendance is mandatory for the successful completion of the apprenticeship program. 

    Program Details

    Cosmetology apprenticeship classes are offered at the Madison College Truax campus.

    After completing the program, you will be ready to apply for your cosmetology practitioner’s license from the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS).

    For more information on classroom instruction please contact:
    businessandappliedarts@madisoncollege.edu.

    Careers in Cosmetology

    Employers throughout Madison consider Madison College's Cosmetology graduates top candidates.

    Graduates from this one-year technical diploma program are ready for a range of professional positions in the field of cosmetology, including:

    • Cosmetologist
    • Hair/Makeup Stylist
    • Manicurist
    • Esthetician
    • Platform Artist
    Paid Training
    Get paid while you train in the salon and classroom.
  • Curriculum and Experience

    Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2024-2025 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.

    Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:

    • Progress toward your specific requirements
    • Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements

    If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.

    First Semester
    Second Semester
    Third Semester
    Fourth Semester
  • Admission

    To Apply

    For a cosmetology apprenticeship to begin, you must find a sponsoring employer on your own (similar to looking for a job). Once you have found a position, the employer begins the apprenticeship registration process by contacting a Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards (BAS) representative for their county.

    The BAS representative meets the employer and the apprentice at the salon to complete their contract and new student creation form. The practical aspect of the apprenticeship may now begin.  Apprentices may start their practical any time year round.

    The BAS representative sends these forms to the School of Business and Applied Arts where they are admitted as a student.  The School office will contact the apprentice regarding a mandatory orientation meeting held annually in August. During this orientation, apprentices will learn how to set up their student accounts and register for classes. School theory classes begin in the fall semester, and include four semesters of Cosmetology Related Theory.

    Questions?

    Contact businessandappliedarts@madisoncollege.edu or call 608.246.6003 ext. 8.

  • Career Outcomes

    After completing the Cosmetology Apprentice program at Madison Area Technical College, you will be able to:

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

      Graduate Report Summary Overview

      202120222023
      Number of Program Graduates10215
      Number of Surveys Sent
      Number of Surveys Returned
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment000
      Percent Available for Employment
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market
      Available for Employment

      202120222023
      Graduates Employed000
      Percent of Graduates Employed
      Employed in Related Occupation000
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation000
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation
      Employed - No Response000
      Percent Employed - No Response
      Seeking Employment000
      Percent Seeking Employment
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      202120222023
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)000
      Number of Satisfaction Responses000
      Very Satisfied (4)000
      Percent Very Satisfied
      Satisfied (3)000
      Percent Satisfied
      Unsatisfied (2)000
      Percent Unsatisfied
      Very Unsatisfied (1)
      Percent Very Unsatisfied
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      202120222023
      Number of Primary Reason Responses000
      Preparation for Getting a Job
      Percent Preparation for Getting a Job
      Career Change
      Percent Career Change
      Improvement of Existing Skills
      Percent Improvement of Existing Skills
      Preparation for Further Education
      Percent Preparation for Further Education
      Personal Interest
      Percent Personal Interest
      Other
      Percent Other
      When Employment was Obtained

      202120222023
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses000
      Before Enrollment000
      Percent Before Enrollment
      While Attending the College000
      Percent While Attending the College
      After Training at the College000
      Percent After Training at the College
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      202120222023
      Number of Employment Location Responses000
      In College District000
      Percent In College District
      In Wisconsin, Not in District000
      Percent of In Wisconsin
      Outside of Wisconsin000
      Percent Outside Wisconsin
      Employer Location Unknown000
      Percent Location Unknown
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend202120222023
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count
      Average Monthly Wage
      Average Hourly Wage
      Average Work Hours per Week
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count
      Average Hourly Wage
      Average Work Hours per Week