Overview

Esthetics

Esthetics is the field of skincare. Our esthetics program will give you the flexibility to incorporate skincare services into your overall skillset in beauty services by teaching you basics of treatments like exfoliation, skin conditioning, wrinkle reduction, facials, tanning, skin detox, masks or anti-aging procedures.

What is an Esthetician?
Known as skin care specialists, estheticians are those who work in an esthetic or skin clinic with cosmetic tools and products. Facial treatment is the most common part of an aesthetician’s job. Apart from that, they also perform various other beauty treatments including massage, waxing, chemical peels and scrubs.

Their work ranges from performing cosmetic treatment methods to providing information and advice based on skin type and condition. These professionals usually work in beauty salons or spas, health clinics or aesthetic clinics.

Estheticians do not diagnose and treat medical conditions or skin diseases. In contrast, esthetician work focuses only on skin care related to health and beauty in general.

However, their training allows them to detect skin problems that may need medical attention and allows them to refer these clients to a dermatologist.

Apart from the use of oils, creams, masks, ointments, and lotions, estheticians use mechanical and medical devices to perform various procedures. Some of the devices used by estheticians include machines, intense pulse light (IPL) devices, paraffin heaters, LED light therapy machines, microdermabrasion machines and many more.

*Applications will be accepted year-round. Application forms are available in the Cosmetology office and online at www.wvup.edu/cosmetology.
The Cosmetology School is located at 3113 Murdoch Ave, Parkersburg, WV.

*It is important to note that completion of the application process does not imply that the applicant will be admitted to the cosmetology program.

*Admission Limitations
Due to space limitations, qualified applicants are ranked according to cumulative grade point averages. The highest ranked students who meet the admission requirements by April,15, 2025 for fall admission are admitted first; other qualified applicants will be placed on a waiting list.

If you do not meet the requirements for admission, it does not necessarily mean that you will not be admitted to the Cosmetology program.  The first day of class, the waiting list is deleted due to the competition for space.

Updates to Applications
Students interested in pursuing admission in the next cycle must resubmit a completed Cosmetology application. It is the responsibility of the student to provide appropriate documentation of changes in his/her personal and/or academic record.

Programs

Certificate of Applied Science in Esthetics

The Certificate of Applied Science in Esthetics prepares students to provide beautification services to clients to improve the look and feel of their skin and facial features. Their duties include consulting with clients to select an appropriate treatment, preparing a sanitary environment before a procedure and offering treatments such as facials, extractions, microdermabrasion, chemical peels and waxing.

Course Listing

Careers

What Can I Do With This Degree?

-Beauty consultant
-Waxing Specialist
-Eyelash specialist
-Cosmetologist
-Salon/Spa Manager
-Salon/Spa Owner
-Instructor

Costs

Tuition

Estimated rates for the 2024-2025 academic year. Additional course fees may apply and rates are subject to change.
*Early College fees may differ per program, for example, in Welding and Cosmetology.

Estimated Costs Of Attendance

Estimated total costs of attendance for students, varied based on residential status and living situation.

Related Programs

-Cosmetology

Request Information

Lisa Carter

Director, School of Cosmetology and Esthetics (Workforce, Technical & Computer Information Science Division)

• Room: WVUP School of Cosmetology
• 304-420-8618
• lisa.carter@wvup.edu