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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.
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Financial Aid Available-
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
Spring 2026 - Secure Your Spot in Pre-Program!
This program operates on a petition process. To be eligible to enroll in program classes, students must first complete petition requirements and go through the petition process.
Before submitting an application, be sure to:
- Review the Petition section.
- Review the admission requirements for deadlines, materials, and requirements.
- Estimated Wait Time: Up to 0-2 semesters wait time between acceptance into pre-program and the start of core classes. The estimated time to enter the core program is subject to change based on the variable number of students ready to petition each semester.
Additional Notes
Students are required to meet the current admission requirements, petition requirements, and complete the petition process. Requirements are subject to change based on updates to accreditation requirements or Madison College program assessment data.
Beginning Fall 2026 – Secure Your Spot on the Waiting List!
This program operates on a waiting list. To be eligible to enroll in program classes, students must first complete academic preparedness requirements and go through the declaration process.
Before submitting an application, be sure to:
- Review the Waiting List section.
- Review the admission requirements for deadlines, materials, and requirements.
- Estimated Wait Time: Up to 0-2 semesters wait time between when students are core ready and when they become eligible to enroll in program classes. This timeline may vary depending on how many students complete the declaration process each semester.
- Program Capacity: 24 spots each Fall and Spring semester.
Need help? Learn more about the Madison College experience and get support with your application.
Start your application today and take the next step toward your career goals!
Additional Notes
Students are required to meet the current admission requirements, academic preparedness requirements, and complete the declaration process. Requirements are subject to change based on updates to accreditation requirements or Madison College program assessment data.
Application Dates
Fall 2025
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is August 31, 2025
Spring 2026
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is December 31, 2025
Fall 2026
- Application available on September 15, 2025
- Application completion deadline is August 15, 2026
Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 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
Official transcripts must be sent from the institutions you attended and indicate one of the following:
- High school transcript (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
- GED/HSED transcript
- College transcript(s) 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
All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.
Fall 2026 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
Official transcripts must be sent from the institutions you attended and indicate one of the following:
- High school transcript (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
- GED/HSED transcript
- College transcript(s) 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
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
- *Minnesota residents are considered non-district state residents for admission purposes
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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Waiting List
Beginning Fall 2026
This program uses a waiting list to manage program admission due to capacity limitations and program demand. This means there are typically more applicants than there are open seats in the program. A waiting list helps us manage applications in a way that is fair and transparent.
This program has academic preparedness requirements that must be completed before beginning core classes. When you’ve completed all academic preparedness requirements, you will complete the declaration process.
Pre-core students can run their Degree Progress Report to confirm which academic preparedness requirements are satisfied/not satisfied and view specific ways to satisfy requirements.
Prerequisites:
- Math (testing or college coursework)
- English/Reading (testing or college coursework)
Students must complete the declaration process and be awarded a seat before they can be offered a spot in Cosmetology Concepts.
Questions?
Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
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Petition
Spring 2026
This program uses a petition process to manage program admission due to capacity limitations and program demand. This means there are typically more applicants than there are open seats in the program. A petition process helps us manage applications in a way that is fair and transparent.
This program has petition requirements that must be completed before beginning core classes. When you’ve completed all petition requirements, you will complete the petition process.
Pre-program students can run their Degree Progress Report to confirm which petition requirements are satisfied/not satisfied and view specific ways to satisfy requirements.
Prerequisites:
- Math (testing or college coursework)
- English/Reading (testing or college coursework)
Students must petition and be awarded a seat before they can be offered a spot in Cosmetology Concepts.
Petitioning
Review the Petition Process for details on how and when to petition.
- Spring - Petition window opens on September 15
- Students should only petition if they are able to take Cosmetology Concepts this Fall AND are prepared to start the full Cosmetology program in Spring 2026.
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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
2022 2023 2024 Number of Program Graduates 29 26 19 Number of Surveys Sent 16 25 19 Number of Surveys Returned 12 18 17 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 12 15 17 Percent Available for Employment 100.0% 83.3% 100.0% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 0.0% 11.1% 0.0% Available for Employment
2022 2023 2024 Graduates Employed 11 13 14 Percent of Graduates Employed 91.7% 86.7% 82.4% Employed in Related Occupation 9 10 11 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 81.8% 76.9% 78.6% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 2 3 3 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 18.2% 23.1% 21.4% Employed - No Response 0 0 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Seeking Employment 1 2 3 Percent Seeking Employment 8.3% 13.3% 17.6% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2022 2023 2024 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.7 3.5 3.4 Number of Satisfaction Responses 12 18 17 Very Satisfied (4) 8 9 8 Percent Very Satisfied 66.7% 50.0% 47.1% Satisfied (3) 4 9 8 Percent Satisfied 33.3% 50.0% 47.1% Unsatisfied (2) 0 0 1 Percent Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 5.9% Very Unsatisfied (1) Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2022 2023 2024 Number of Primary Reason Responses 12 18 17 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% 5.9% When Employment was Obtained
2022 2023 2024 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 11 13 14 Before Enrollment 0 1 1 Percent Before Enrollment 0.0% 7.7% 7.1% While Attending the College 1 3 2 Percent While Attending the College 9.1% 23.1% 14.3% After Training at the College 10 9 11 Percent After Training at the College 90.9% 69.2% 78.6% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2022 2023 2024 Number of Employment Location Responses 11 14 14 In College District 9 12 12 Percent In College District 81.8% 85.7% 85.7% In Wisconsin, Not in District 2 1 1 Percent of In Wisconsin 18.2% 7.1% 7.1% Outside of Wisconsin 0 0 1 Percent Outside Wisconsin 0.0% 0.0% 7.1% Employer Location Unknown 0 1 0 Percent Location Unknown 0.0% 7.1% 0.0% Salary Trend 2022 2023 2024 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 8 6 5 Average Monthly Wage $3,540 $3,010 $2,704 Average Hourly Wage $20.58 $17.50 $15.72 Average Work Hours per Week 44.6 44.8 39.3 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 1 4 4 Average Hourly Wage $15.00 $19.81 $16.75 Average Work Hours per Week 32.0 23.0 25.8 -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2024 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions Alan Koa Salon and Spa Hair Stylist Bloom Hair Studio Stylist HoneyComb Salon Collective Hair Stylist JC Penney Styling Salon Hair Stylist Killer Mane Stylist Sun Prairie Rebel Hair Madison Hair Stylist Studio Z Stylist Temptd Salon And Spa Hair Stylist Monona Temptd Salon And Spa Hairdresser Monona Ulta Stylist Eden Prairie MN * - 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
