The Cosmetology program at Northwest Technical College offers a 56-credit program that can be completed in three semesters.
Whether you’re seeking to work as a stylist or want to own your own salon, the NTC Cosmetology Academy can help you achieve your dreams.
As part of the diploma in cosmetology, NTC Cosmetology Academy students will learn skills in esthetics, advanced practice esthetics and nail-care technology, which allows our graduates to pursue careers in those specialty areas. Stand-alone certificate programs in esthetics & advanced-practice esthetics and nail-care technology begin in Spring 2025.
Faculty at NTC’s Cosmetology Academy will walk beside you throughout your journey and prepare you to offer in-demand services in the personal care industry. You’ll learn to provide a variety of services, including but not limited to haircuts, color and highlights, permanent waves, facials, makeup application, face and body waxing and manicures, pedicures and artificial nail enhancements. You can determine your own path — and your own success.
Cosmetology Careers
Whatever your goals, the NTC Cosmetology Academy can prepare you for your future. Take the knowledge you gain in all aspects of hair, skin and nail care from NTC and jump start your career.
A diploma from NTC and a cosmetology license can open many doors for you, including:
- Hairstylist — as an employee or a booth-renter (independent contractor)
- Salon manager
- Platform artist
- School manager
- Cosmetology instructor
- Product educator or sales representative
- Product manufacturer, creating and marketing your own products
Esthetics Certificate
Estheticians provide skin care services as part of the broader beauty and self-care industries, but also serves important health and wellness needs. Services provided by trained estheticians can address a number of skin-care concerns, while also following emerging fashion trends. NTC’s Cosmetology Academy provides the foundation you need for a successful career in this rapidly growing segment of the salon and spa industries.
Esthetics Training at NTC
You’ll learn to provide a variety of services, including but not limited to facials, waxing and temporary hair removal, makeup, massage, body treatments and light peels. Advanced Practice Esthetics includes all the services offered in the esthetics course, with the addition of dermaplaning, epidermal skin needling and chemical peels, advanced extractions, microdermabrasion and electrical energy treatments using galvanic current, high frequency, radio frequency ultrasound or light.
Esthetics and advanced-practice esthetics are offered as part of NTC’s cosmetology diploma, and will be available as stand-alone certificates beginning in Spring 2025.
Esthetics Careers
A diploma from NTC and a cosmetology license can open many doors for you, including:
- Esthetician (employee or treatment room renter)
- Spa therapist
- Paramedical esthetician
- Makeup artist (film, theater, fashion, print)
- Management — salon, spa or school
- Platform artist
- Instructor — esthetics or advanced practice esthetics
- Skin-care educator
- Product educator or sales representative
- Product manufacturer, creating and marketing your own products
Nail Technology Certificate
No matter where you go in today’s world, you will see beautiful hands and feet on display for all to see. NTC’s Cosmetology Academy provides the foundation you need for a successful career in this creative and in-demand profession.
Nail Technology Training at NTC
You’ll learn to provide a variety of services for both hands and feet, including but not limited to manicures and pedicures, gel manicures and pedicures, spa and specialty procedures and artificial nail enhancements.
Training as a nail technician is offered as part of NTC’s cosmetology diploma, and will be available as a stand-alone certificate beginning in Spring 2025.
Nail Technology Careers
A diploma from NTC and a cosmetology license can open many doors for you, including:
- Nail technician (employee or independent contractor)
- Salon manager or owner
- Nail technology school manager or instructor
- Platform artist
- Product educator or sales representative
- Product manufacturer, creating and marketing your own products
Cosmetology License
Practicing cosmetologists are licensed by the Minnesota Board of Cosmetology, ensuring that practitioners, salon owners and schools uphold high standards and clean, safe environments for their clients. Licensing also ensures customers that they are receiving services from a trained professional.