Cosmetic Techniques and Management

Program Overview

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Cosmetic Techniques and Management Program Overview

The Cosmetic Techniques and Management program prepares students for an exciting career in the fast-paced, growing cosmetics and personal care industry. With opportunities in beauty retail, brand management, makeup artistry, and product development, this program equips students with the comprehensive skills needed to thrive in this competitive field.

Intakes and Availability

Date	Domestic Availability	International Availability
September 2025	Open	Open

Program Highlights

• DC Experience
• Success Stories
• Resources

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
• Grade 12 English (C or U)

Are you missing admission requirements? We are here to help.

Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or math. Domestic applicants that are 19 years of age or older as of the start date of their program, and who do not have the required program credit(s) i.e., Grade 12 English and/or Grade 12 math are eligible to take an admissions assessment test.

DC also offers Academic Upgrading. Courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program. Available to individuals 18+, these courses are offered on-campus at DC. Boost your qualifications with:

• Grade 12 Math (MAP4C equivalent)
• Grade 12 English (ENG4C equivalent)
• Grade 11 Biology (SBI3C equivalent)
• Grade 12 Chemistry (SCH4C equivalent)

Tuition

• Year one domestic: $2,722 (CAD)
• Year one international: $15,309 (CAD)

Semester 1 Courses

• Communication Foundations (COMM 1100)
• Colour Theory and Analysis (CTMG 1101)
• Make-Up and Corrective Techniques 1 (CTMG 1104)
• Cosmetics and Product Knowledge (CTMG 1106)
• Sales Techniques and Customer Service (CTMG 1108)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)

Technology Recommendations

To help students succeed in programs with remote learning requirements, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified minimum technology recommendations. While these are not program requirements, these suggestions will help ensure students have the right tools to support a quality remote learning experience.

Career Options

A diploma in cosmetic techniques and management opens doors to many exciting career opportunities in the cosmetics and personal care industry. Graduates are prepared to pursue roles such as makeup artist, beauty consultant, or retail manager. With makeup application, marketing, and customer service skills, you’ll be equipped to work for leading beauty brands, manage retail environments, or even launch your own business.

WHAT YOU COULD BE

• Beauty advisor
• Beauty blogger or writer
• Brand educator
• Boutique manager
• Cosmetics brand ambassador
• Cosmetics counter manager
• Account representative
• Fragrance advisor
• Freelance make-up artist

Industry Partners

ACCREDITATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS

Durham College is a member of Cosmetics Alliance Canada.

Students entering their first year of studies in a Faculty of Business and Information Technology program will receive a membership to all of Durham Region’s Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade for the duration of their studies, plus an additional year following graduation. As one of the only colleges in Ontario with this offering, DC is proud to provide students with access to local businesses at a regional level.

The Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade include:

• Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade
• Brock Board of Trade
• Clarington Board of Trade
• Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce
• Newcastle and District Chamber of Commerce
• North Durham Chamber of Commerce
• Whitby Chamber of Commerce

Membership benefits:

• Opportunities to connect with over 2,500 local businesses and jumpstart your career by networking with potential future employers;
• Access to professional development events across Durham Region to gain unique business insights and learn from industry leaders; and
• Learning opportunities to develop the in-demand skills to launch a successful career.

Cosmetic Techniques and Management Program Learning Outcomes

1. Assess clients and recommend cosmetics and fragrances that have the right chemical composition to address their cosmetic and skin care needs.
2. Utilize the tools and equipment necessary to apply cosmetic products and achieve a professional look.
3. Create a variety of make-up effects to meet the needs and expectations of individual clients.
4. Communicate the benefits and features of different products utilized in caring for the skin according to the needs of individual, such as, skin histology, structure and disorders.
5. Identify, analyse and apply colour theory principals when selecting colour cosmetics to enhance diverse skin tones and pigmentation.
6. Plan and implement marketing initiatives for the cosmetics industry to influence consumer purchases and behaviour.
7. Apply fundamental business, legal, bookkeeping and inventory management principals to meet the operational needs of an organization.
8. Analyse and implement boutique/counter business plan and merchandising guidelines to meet organizational sales goals.
9. Apply leadership skills necessary to enhance and motivate a team to reach organizational goals.
10. Apply various customer service and consultative sales techniques to develop and retain a client base.
11. Conduct work in accordance with cosmetic industry health and safety standards.

Cosmetic Techniques and Management Program Details

The Cosmetic Techniques and Management program prepares you for an exciting career in the fast-paced, growing cosmetics and personal care industry. With opportunities in beauty retail, brand management, makeup artistry, and product development, this program equips students with the comprehensive skills needed to thrive in this competitive field.

The Cosmetic Techniques and Management program uses a holistic approach and covers a variety of disciplines that students require to enjoy success in the beauty industry. Hands-on makeup artist courses cover fundamental and advanced cosmetic application techniques, including make-up for a variety of media and events, creative, period and special effects applications, as well as brow and lash enhancement techniques. These experiential learning opportunities in state-of-the-art labs ensure students are confident in applying their skills across diverse settings, from bridal makeup to theatrical productions.

Fundamental core cosmetology courses in areas such as colour theory, skincare analysis and product knowledge help students develop further as professionals to meet industry standards. This foundation allows graduates to make informed product recommendations and address client needs with expertise.

Within the Cosmetic Techniques and Management program, a strong emphasis is placed on cosmetic selling and customer service protocols, retail management, marketing for make-up artists, event planning, business communications and the development of entrepreneurial skills. These elements prepare students to excel as makeup artists and manage teams, run their own businesses, or support marketing initiatives for major beauty brands.

You will complete a three-week field placement and have the opportunity to network with employers and industry insiders to complement your in-class learning, as well as hands-on experience gained while working onsite in the fully operational Durham College Spa. Students also consolidate their skills, collaborating with a professional photographer in their final semester to develop a portfolio of work that assists in obtaining future job opportunities and commanding professional rates.

LAB REQUIREMENTS

In order to participate in the lab component of the program uniforms must be worn at all times. Students must meet the pre-lab requirements in order to receive their uniform and student kit.

PRE-LAB

To be eligible for the lab/placement component of this program you must (at your expense) provide:

• Entry Immunization form completed by a health-care provider

In order to maintain confidentiality and security, the program utilizes an independent provider, Verified by Synergy Gateway for DC Spa Lab for field placement documentation collection and validation. This process is the Electronic Requirements Verification (ERV). There is a cost associated with this external agency of $52.00. Please refer to the Cosmetic Techniques and Management Program ERV Information Package for details.

Cosmetic Techniques and Management Courses

The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC. Students are responsible to ensure they are not duplicating their GNED or FNMI selections as per their diploma requirements. For a successful program completion, students must have successfully completed three unique elective courses as per their program of study.

Semester 1

• Communication Foundations (COMM 1100)
• Colour Theory and Analysis (CTMG 1101)
• Make-Up and Corrective Techniques 1 (CTMG 1104)
• Cosmetics and Product Knowledge (CTMG 1106)
• Sales Techniques and Customer Service (CTMG 1108)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)

Semester 2

• Interpersonal and Group Dynamics (COMM 2326)
• Introduction to Business Computer Applications (COMP 1223)
• Introduction to Skin Care (CTMG 1201)
• Make-Up and Corrective Techniques 2 (CTMG 1204)
• Make-Up Artistry Marketing Strategies (CTMG 1206)
• Event Planning and Product Promotion (CTMG 2110)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)

Semester 3

• DC Spa - Lab 1 (CTMG 2101)
• Make-Up and Corrective Techniques 3 (CTMG 2104)
• Fragrance and Aromatherapy (CTMG 2106)
• Cosmetics Retail Management and Operations (CTMG 2108)
• Introduction to Brow and Lash Techniques (CTMG 2112)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)

Semester 4

• DC Spa - Lab 2 (CTMG 2201)
• Portfolio Development (CTMG 2204)
• Leadership and Business Ethics (CTMG 2206)
• Creative Styling Techniques (CTMG 2208)
• Intro to Special Effects Make-Up (CTMG 2212)
• Field Placement (FWKC 2201)

Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.

Course Delivery

In person

Students will come to campus to complete in-person learning requirements. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.

In person:

• Course is delivered in person, on campus within a classroom, lab, shop or studio. Hybrid:
• Part of the course is delivered online, remotely, and part is in-person on campus within a classroom, lab, shop or studio. Online:
• Fully remote course delivery.

Costs for the Cosmetic Techniques and Management Program

Program fees listed include charges for student kit learning materials and uniform retained by the student. These items are non-refundable once received and will remain the property of the student.

The fees below are estimates only based on information available at the time of publication, and do not include the cost of textbooks. There may be additional costs; however, not all courses require textbooks.

Finances shouldn’t be a barrier to you achieving your educational goals.
DC’s Financial Aid and Awards office is here to help you navigate a number of financial aid programs to support your education.

Residency

Canadian Citizen or Permanent ResidentInternational

Started Academic Year In

FallWinterSpring

Cosmetic Techniques and Management Year 1 Costs

Semester 1 | | Tuition: | $1,361.02
---|---
Program Fee: | $2,304.72
Ancillary Fee: | $493.77
DCSA Ancillary Fee: | $430
Total: |$4,589.51

Semester 2 | | Tuition: | $1,361.02
---|---
Program Fee: | $0
Ancillary Fee: | $493.77
DCSA Ancillary Fee: | $120
Total: |$1,974.79

Cosmetic Techniques and Management Year 2 Costs

Semester 3 | | Tuition: | $1,361.02
---|---
Program Fee: | $2,112.87
Ancillary Fee: | $474.19
DCSA Ancillary Fee: | $430
Total: |$4,378.08

Semester 4 | | Tuition: | $1,361.02
---|---
Program Fee: | $0
Ancillary Fee: | $474.19
DCSA Ancillary Fee: | $120
Total: |$1,955.21

Career Options

The Cosmetic Techniques and Management program prepares graduates to excel in a variety of rewarding roles within the cosmetics industry. With hands-on training in advanced makeup application techniques, skincare preparation, and lash and brow enhancements, combined with expertise in marketing, customer service, and retail management, graduates are well-equipped to thrive in diverse professional settings. Whether working behind the scenes at photoshoots, managing beauty counters for global brands, or building a personal client base as an independent entrepreneur, this program provides the tools to succeed in this fast-paced and ever-evolving industry.

WHAT YOU COULD BE

• Beauty advisor
• Beauty blogger or writer
• Brand educator
• Boutique manager
• Cosmetics brand ambassador
• Cosmetics counter manager
• Account representative
• Fragrance advisor
• Freelance make-up artist

WHERE YOU COULD WORK

• Entertainment industry
• Personal Care and beauty stores
• Cosmetic boutique
• Cosmetic brand companies
• Luxury department stores

Field Placement

Over a three-week period, you will network with employers, industry insiders and have the ability to experience the cosmetics industry first-hand. You will get an inside view of the day-to-day operations and have the opportunity to work alongside professionals in the cosmetics, personal care and fragrance industries to gain real-world experience and open doors for future career advancement.

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.

Looking for more pathway opportunities or to transfer to Durham College? Click here for more information.

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Program Outline

Careers:

• Beauty advisor
• Beauty blogger or writer
• Brand educator
• Boutique manager
• Cosmetics brand ambassador
• Cosmetics counter manager
• Account representative
• Fragrance advisor
• Freelance make-up artist