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If you’d like to learn more about the Cosmetology program, we’d love to talk with you.
We’re here to answer any questions and guide you through our application process step-by-step.
Send us your contact information, and we’ll help you get started right away!
Financial Aid Available
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Program Overview
You’ll learn all things cosmetology in this one-year program and externship. In addition to learning in the classroom, you’ll gain real-world experience at a local salon, shadowing professional hair stylists and nail technicians.
Watch this video and see what it's like to be a student in Madison College's Cosmetology program.
As a cosmetology student you will be learn a variety of skills under licensed professionals, such as:
- 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
You'll receive a kit that includes all equipment and supplies needed to complete this program as a part of a class fee.
Program Details
Madison College's Cosmetology students attend class full-time during the day, Monday through Friday.
Cosmetology classes are offered at the Madison College Truax campus.
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
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).
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Curriculum and Experience
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2025-2026 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.
Prior to start of programFirst SemesterSecond SemesterThird Semester -
Admission
Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!
To Apply
Submit all application materials by the deadline.
Application Dates
Fall 2025
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is August 15, 2025
Spring 2026
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is December 31, 2025
Program Status: Waitlist
Due to demand, the program is currently accepting students to the waitlist.
- This program is available to in-state residents only
- Estimated wait time: 0-2 semesters
- Students will be notified by email when space becomes available
- Selection from the waitlist into the program is based on:
- Date of application completion
- Residency
Admission Requirements
All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.
1. Admission Application
The online application allows you to save your work as you complete it and ensures fast, secure delivery to our office.
2. Education Completion
Submit official transcripts from the institutions you attended that indicate one of the following:
- High school completion (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
- GED/HSED completion
- College transcript or Madison College experience showing:
- Completion of an associate degree or higher, or
- At least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
- The credits must be completed at a single college and cannot be combined with other transcripts
- Any transfer credit listed on a transcript does not count toward the 30 credit minimum
- Credits completed at Madison College are evaluated and do not require a transcript
All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.
3. Residency Requirement
Per Wisconsin Statute TCS-10 because this program has a waitlist:
- Out-of-state residents (except Minnesota residents*) are not eligible for admission consideration to this program
- Non-district state residents
- May only be considered after January 1 for the upcoming fall term and after May 1 for the upcoming spring term
- *Minnesota residents are considered non-district state residents for admission purposes
Additional Notes
Course prerequisites differ from admission requirements; admission into a program does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses or success in the program. Refer to program curriculum for details.
After Acceptance
Once you have been admitted into your program, complete the Next Steps after Program Acceptance to prepare for your first day of classes at Madison College.
Questions?
Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Cosmetology career.
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Career Outcomes
After completing the Cosmetology program at Madison Area Technical College, you will be able to:
- Perform shampoo, haircut, and style services
- Perform skin care services
- Perform chemical services
- Perform nail services
- Develop business practices for industry success
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Graduate Summary
Graduate Report Summary Overview
2021 2022 2023 Number of Program Graduates 10 29 26 Number of Surveys Sent 10 16 25 Number of Surveys Returned 10 12 18 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 9 12 15 Percent Available for Employment 90.0% 100.0% 83.3% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 10.0% 0.0% 11.1% Available for Employment
2021 2022 2023 Graduates Employed 9 11 13 Percent of Graduates Employed 100.0% 91.7% 86.7% Employed in Related Occupation 9 9 10 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 100.0% 81.8% 76.9% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 0 2 3 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 0.0% 18.2% 23.1% Employed - No Response 0 0 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Seeking Employment 0 1 2 Percent Seeking Employment 0.0% 8.3% 13.3% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2021 2022 2023 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.6 3.7 3.5 Number of Satisfaction Responses 10 12 18 Very Satisfied (4) 6 8 9 Percent Very Satisfied 60.0% 66.7% 50.0% Satisfied (3) 4 4 9 Percent Satisfied 40.0% 33.3% 50.0% Unsatisfied (2) 0 0 0 Percent Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Very Unsatisfied (1) Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2021 2022 2023 Number of Primary Reason Responses 10 12 18 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 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% When Employment was Obtained
2021 2022 2023 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 9 11 13 Before Enrollment 0 0 1 Percent Before Enrollment 0.0% 0.0% 7.7% While Attending the College 1 1 3 Percent While Attending the College 11.1% 9.1% 23.1% After Training at the College 8 10 9 Percent After Training at the College 88.9% 90.9% 69.2% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2021 2022 2023 Number of Employment Location Responses 9 11 14 In College District 8 9 12 Percent In College District 88.9% 81.8% 85.7% In Wisconsin, Not in District 0 2 1 Percent of In Wisconsin 0.0% 18.2% 7.1% Outside of Wisconsin 1 0 0 Percent Outside Wisconsin 11.1% 0.0% 0.0% Employer Location Unknown 0 0 1 Percent Location Unknown 0.0% 0.0% 7.1% Salary Trend 2021 2022 2023 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 3 8 6 Average Monthly Wage $3,220 $3,540 $3,010 Average Hourly Wage $18.72 $20.58 $17.50 Average Work Hours per Week 42.3 44.6 44.8 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 2 1 4 Average Hourly Wage $13.50 $15.00 $19.81 Average Work Hours per Week 28.3 32.0 23.0 -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2023 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions Anaala Spa & Salon Stylist Cinema Hair Studio Cosmetologist Cost Cutters Hairstylist Lake Mills JC Penney Styling Salon Design Stylist Lotus Salon Stylist Sun Prairie Love Lee Beauty LLC Salon Owner Sun Prairie Monona Barbershop Barber Monona Paisley Hair Design Hairstylist Temptd Salon And Spa Stylist Monona Vibe Salon and Spa Sylist Portage * - Only cities outside of Madison will display.
** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.
*** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu
