Cosmetology program
PCC manages two work based education programs within Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (one in the Medium security facility and another in the Minimum security facility). The Cosmetology program is in the Coffee Creek medium security facility and is designed to provide program graduates with industry skills that will lead to immediate employment upon parole. Students learn all aspects of hair design, esthetics, and nail technology over a course the 2300 hours, which takes approximately 24 months.
PCC President Mitsui getting a haircut from a Cosmetology student
About the program
In addition to instruction from the program coordinator, the students use a variety of educational resources such as textbooks, the Cosmetology Oregon Administrative Rules, current trade publications, and a variety of industry-based videos.
Students must complete over 900 services in a salon setting on clients (including staff and inmates), hair mannequins, and hand mannequins. In addition to the hands-on experience, the students also practice the very important skills of teamwork, communication, time management, and confidence building.
Upon completion of the service hours, students are prepared to take four State Board proctored exams. The students receive state licenses in Hair Design, Esthetics, and Nail Technology with a passing score of 75 percent or better, and leave with job-ready skills.
Master Educator program
A small number of students who complete the cosmetology program have the opportunity to continue their training in the Master Educator program. This program requires an additional 1200 hours in the salon, and provides the cosmetologists with the opportunity to advance their technical skills, communication skills, and their confidence as they teach their newly acquired trade to 20 of their peers.
Master Educators must self-study and test from a textbook on a variety of topics including teaching methods, learning styles, classroom management, program development and more. They apply these skills in the classroom while assisting students in practical application, creating and implementing lesson plans and activities, and grading exams.
They refine their own skills as they learn how to problem-solve, and provide peer students with a strong foundation for a successful career in cosmetology. The Master Educator program provides the students with many transferable skills that may be applied in salon management, as a cosmetology instructor, or in other related fields.