Program Overview

Hairstyling (Accelerated) Program

The Hairstyling diploma program offers practical, theoretical, and experiential learning opportunities to prepare students for an exciting career in the Hairstyling industry. Our students gain knowledge and skills in all areas of hairstyling, including haircutting, styling, chemical services, hair additions as well as career preparation and business operations.

Program Details

• Code: 0503
• Start Date: September 2026
• Credential: Ontario College Diploma
• Campus: Kingston
• Program Length: 47 Weeks
• Delivery: Full-Time
• Open for international students

Program Highlights

• Our diploma program meets the 1,500 vocational training hours required by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development.
• Our graduates are then eligible to complete an Apprenticeship (without completing any exemption testing), after which time graduates are eligible to write the Certificate of Qualification (C of Q) exam to become a licensed Hairstylist in Ontario.
• Our students gain experiential learning in our fully operational training salons: Transition Training Salon (Brockville) and Dynamic Designs (Kingston).
• Our students are trained with professional brand hair care, styling, and chemical products: Redken, Matrix, Pulp Riot, AG Hair, Goldwell; and in administrative operations using Milano Spa Software.
• Our students learn from and network with industry professionals through guest speaker opportunities and applied learning experiences throughout the program.
• Our students experience three community salon placement opportunities, where they continue to gain the foundational skills needed for success in the industry.

Program Outline

Semester 1

• HAIR 53: Entrepreneurial Skills 1: Communication and Ethics
• HAIR 100: Applied Salon Services 1
• HAIR 101: Haircutting 1: Fundamentals
• HAIR 102: Salon Safety Standards
• HAIR 111: Hairstyling 1: Preparatory Procedures
• HAIR 1000: Chemical Services 1: Introduction to Haircolouring Techniques
• GENE: General Education Course

Semester 2

• HAIR 54: Entrepreneurial Skills 2: Career Planning and Marketing
• HAIR 200: Applied Salon Services 2
• HAIR 202: Haircutting 2: Barbering Fundamentals
• HAIR 2004: Hairstyling 2: Formal Styling
• HAIR 2000: Chemical Services 2: Intermediate Haircolouring and Chemical Techniques
• HAIR 281: Applied Learning Experience 1
• HAIR 2001: Textured Hair Techniques and Hair Additions
• GENE: General Education Course

Semester 3

• HAIR 2005: Entrepreneurial Skills 3: Business Operations
• HAIR 2006: Applied Salon Services 3
• HAIR 2007: Advanced Hair Design
• HAIR 2008: Licensing Exam Preparation
• HAIR 2002: Haircutting 3: Advanced Haircutting Techniques
• HAIR 2003: Chemical Services 3: Advanced Haircolouring
• HAIR 382: Applied Learning Experiences 2
• HAIR 383: Applied Learning Experiences 3
• GENE Online: General Education Online

Requirements

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent including the following prerequisites:
  • Grade 12 English at the C, U or E level
  • Grade 11 Math
• For OSSD equivalency options, see Admission Requirements.
• If you are missing prerequisite courses, enroll in the Career/College Prep program.

Other Requirements

• Co-op Work Permit (For All International Students Only)

Placement

• Placement 1: January-April: 8 hours/week
• Placement 2: April-June: 8 hours/week
• Placement 3: July/August: 35 hours/week
• The student leads salon site research, interview and confirmation process; faculty approval
• Pre-prerequisites; HAIR 100, HAIR 101, HAIR 102, HAIR 111, HAIR 121

Fees

Canadian Students

• Tuition: $5,442.72 CAD
• Program Fees: $1,440.00 CAD
• Ancillary Fees: $2,057.82 CAD
• Total: $8,940.54 CAD

International Students

• Tuition: $33,420.00 CAD
• Program Fees: $1,440.00 CAD
• Ancillary Fees: $2,875.93 CAD
• Total: $37,735.93 CAD

Career Opportunities

• Hair Stylist or Barber
• Design, Colour, or Texture Specialist
• Salon Owner, Manager, or Trainer
• Self-Employed/ Contract Stylist/ Freelance Artist
• Sales Consultant
• Manufacturer Educator/Representative/Platform Artist
• Editorial, Theatrical or Film Stylist
• Industry Instructor/Facilitator

Testimonials

• "I have learned so much within just a few short months; learning techniques on our mannequin's, as well as practicing our social skills by working with real clients in our Dynamic Designs Salon." - Sydney Mead
• "The Hairstyling program at St. Lawrence College not only gives you hands-on experience with your passion, the program gives you the confidence to feel good in the salon." - Chantelle Webster
• "The classroom is set up like an actual salon which gave me hands-on experience and allowed to learn what would be expected out in the workforce." - Lacey McGinnis
• "The hairstyling program and Dynamic Designs training salon surpassed all expectations and has provided me with the skills and experience to succeed in the hairstyling industry." - Alicia Cross

Related Programs

• Hairstyling - Apprenticeship
• Esthetician

Scholarship & Bursary

St. Lawrence College offers an extensive Student Scholarship and Bursary Program. Scholarships and bursaries for this purpose are sponsored by external organizations and private individuals. These awards recognize our academic excellence, community involvement, contribution to the quality of College life, outstanding achievement and professional potential. At the conclusion of each year graduates of the Hairstyling diploma program are eligible to win one of three manufacturer awards:

• NP Group Beauty Supply Award
• Beauty Systems Group Volunteer Award
• Redken Elite Scholarship