Friday, July 11, 2008

Cosmetology Program Coming To GCC

The Gila Community College will establish a cosmetology program for both high school students & adult learners beginning this fall. College officials intend to begin classes in September. The program features both a certificate pathway or an Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS), both of which will prepare students to successfully complete the Arizona State Board of Cosmetology Examination in order to become a licensed cosmetologist. Campus Dean Patricia Burke states, “The College is moving forward with the implementation of the cosmetology program as a result of the volume of requests received over the past 2 years. This is another example of Gila Community College meeting the needs of our community.”

Classes will be conducted on the Gila Pueblo Campus. The Cosmetology program trains persons to be beauty operators, hairstylists, beauticians, & cosmetologists. It is a one-academic-year, intensive program designed to meet cosmetologist-licensing requirements for the Arizona State Board of Cosmetology. Classes will meet approx. 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 10-and-a-half months so that the 1600 hours training necessary to qualify for the state examination can be completed in one year.

A high school program is also available & offered to qualified students through Cobre Valley Institute of Technology (CVIT), a joint technological school district. The high school program will meet 3 hours a day, 5 days a week, & 8 hours a day on a minimum of 1 Saturday a month, during the regular school year. The high school program will take 2 years to complete.

Gila Community College remains student focused by providing timely & relevant workforce training opportunities & general education transfer track opportunities to major universities. For additional details on the Cosmetology Program or any other academic or workforce training opportunity contact the Gila Community College at (928) 425-8481.