Program Tips

General Information

Combine your passion for healthcare, beauty, and the science of skincare with CVTC’s Aesthetician program. Our program is designed to provide comprehensive training, so you can start your aesthetician career with experience and confidence. Our curriculum combines classroom instruction in a small, specialized setting, along with practical training in our state-of-the-art clinic setting. Gain invaluable medical skincare experience with real clients under the supervision of our knowledgeable instructors.

Waitlist Program

This program has Program Academic Preparedness Requirements: education requirements, assessment range, and academic prerequisites such as Prep for Basic Biology and Prep for Basic Chemistry. Once the student has completed those admission requirements, they would fill out an Academic Prepardness Verification (APV) form to be added to the official waitlist for the core program.

Academic Advising & Student Success

Academic advisors assist students with developing education plans based on their graduation audit. Their goal is to plan the right pathway to graduation by maximizing students' potential and ensuring success based on the students' previous academic experience, career path, and responsibilities outside of being a student. Student success specialists assist students in overcoming barriers that many students encounter over their academic career. Their goal is to help students become academically successful by assisting with goal setting, interpersonal issues, success plans, and community-based referrals. More information can be found on Commons (Student Services).

Financial Aid Consideration

Courses must be part of the student’s program to be eligible, although some specific courses may not be eligible for financial aid. Students must follow their program requirements to be eligible for financial aid. To be eligible for financial aid, students must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress of a 2.0 Term GPA, 2.0 Cumulative GPA, complete 67% of attempted credits each semester, and complete their program by the time 150% of the published credits have been attempted.

Technology Recommendations

It is recommended for students to have access to a Windows-compatible computer or device with a keyboard and have reliable Wi-Fi at home or off campus.

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)

CPL offers CVTC students an opportunity to earn college credit toward an associate degree or technical diploma for previous knowledge and mastered skills directly related to program curriculum. Previous knowledge and skills may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military experience, and courses completed at other institutions. If a student wishes to attempt CPL for a course in progress, it is imperative that CPL is attempted within the first week of the class to be eligible for a tuition refund. More information can be found at cvtc.edu/CPL.

Pre-Core Information

Students who have pre-core status have been accepted into the college, but not into the core program. Pre-core status may be granted because the program is filled to capacity, academic preparedness requirements need to be satisfied, or the program start date is in the future. Please speak with the program's academic advisor for more details. 

Courses Available to Pre-Core Students

By completing the courses listed below ahead of time, students can decrease their credit load when they reach the highly demanding core program courses and increase their success rate in the program. It is strongly recommended that pre-core students complete these courses while waiting to enroll (or before enrolling) in the core program. Students who complete these courses as pre-core students will NOT be able to finish the program early; core program courses must be taken sequentially.

These courses are typical for pre-core students:

• 836-113 Prep for Basic Biology*
• 836-133 Prep for Basic Chemistry*
• 801-196 Oral/Interpersonal Communication
• 809-198 Intro to Psychology
• 804-134 Mathematical Reasoning
• 801-136 English Composition 1
• 809-172 Intro to Diversity Studies
• 104-102 Marketing Principles
• 102-112 Principles of Management

* These courses are academic preparedness requirements. If these requirements are not met, students should take those courses at CVTC.

804-134 Mathematical Reasoning

Students may be eligible to earn credit for the Mathematical Reasoning course if they have taken the WorkKeys assessment or scored a 25 or higher on the Math section of the ACT. If students have met the ACT score or taken the WorkKeys test or would like to take the WorkKeys test in lieu of taking the Mathematical Reasoning course, please contact the Credit for Prior Learning office CPL@cvtc.edu for more details. Students are advised to contact CPL prior to the semester starting or within the first week of the class to ensure that if they pursue CPL, they are eligible for a tuition refund.

Transfer Credit

Students planning to transfer to a university have the option to take 200-level courses that will count toward general education requirements in the four-year degree being pursued. While some of the 100-level general education courses listed on the program requirements may meet approval for transfer, the 200-level courses are more widely accepted for transfer. To determine what courses may transfer, utilize Transferology.com. Students should also contact the college or university they are pursuing to determine exactly what the school will accept and when to seek admission. Students should maintain contact with the other institution, given that program requirements are subject to change.

Core Program Information

Registration Requirements

Students must apply and have met all of the Academic Preparedness Requirements and be accepted into the Core Aesthetician-Advanced Practice Associate degree before registering for core classes. Registration is restricted to program students to ensure each student has a place in each class. During the registration period, students must register for ALL courses within the semester. Students will be notified of their advisement/registration time.

Mandatory Meeting

There will be a mandatory student meeting that will take place a few weeks before the fall semester starts. Students will meet their instructor, Jenny Vance, to discuss the dress code, background check procedure, program content, obtain the kit and books, pre-entrance health history and physical exam, and learn what is expected of them as CVTC students. Mandatory meeting detail information will be emailed to the student's school email prior to the meeting. 

Attendance Requirement

To obtain a state license, you must complete 450 instructional training hours in a school of cosmetology or a school of aesthetics licensed by the examining board.  More detailed attendance requirements will be explained during the first week of class.

Criminal Background Check

Upon starting the core program, students will be provided directions on how to request a criminal background check from a third party vendor. Please note that a fee will apply. Upon receipt of the criminal background check results, if a student has a criminal history, they will be advised of the possibility of being denied clinical placement. This denial could result in not being able to attend clinical(s) or graduate from the program. Additional background checks may be required during the student's enrollment in the program based on clinical site requirements. Students will be informed by CVTC if they need a criminal background check renewal.

Clinical Education

The clinicals will be completed on-campus at the MedSpa and Massage Clinic at the Business Education Center. 

Attendance Requirement

To obtain a state license, you must complete 450 instructional training hours in a school of cosmetology or a school of aesthetics licensed by the examining board.  More detailed attendance requirements will be explained during the first week of class.

Your instructor will assist you with pre-determination for licensure and scheduling for state exam. 

• Is required in Wisconsin
• Must be 18 years or older
• Must graduate from an approved school of aesthetics
• Must pass the nationally administered board written and practical exam after graduation
• Must have malpractice liability insurance
• Must have current CPR/BLS certification

Lockers

Students may choose to rent a locker to hold their supplies that don't fit their secured cart (provided by program). To rent a locker, a nonrefundable, nontransferable $5 fee must be paid to the Student Life office. This entitles sole use of the locker through the second Friday in May. Locker availability may be limited due to maintenance during the months of May, June, and July. Contact Student Life for more information: 715-833-6267 or studentlife@cvtc.edu.

Library & Academic Support

The one-stop spot for academic help! Free academic help, including drop-in tutoring, test preparation, research guidance, and technology support is available online and face-to-face. More information is available on the Library and Academic Support page. 

Students Accessibility

CVTC welcomes individuals with disabilities. We will provide and coordinate reasonable accommodations for all individuals with documented disabilities. Students that might benefit from accommodations during their college experience at CVTC can contact the Student Success and Accessibility team at 715-833-6234 or access@cvtc.edu to determine what accommodations they may be eligible for and what documentation may be required.

Title IX Pregnancy and Related Conditions

CVTC does not discriminate against any student based on pregnancy or related conditions and will fully comply with Title IX regulations. Related conditions include, but are not limited to, childbirth, breastfeeding/pumping, miscarriage, abortion, false pregnancy, and recovery from these or related conditions. Students who are pregnant or are experiencing related conditions are entitled to reasonable modifications to ensure equal access to CVTC's educational program and activity. Any student seeking reasonable modifications must contact the Student Success and Accessibility team at 715-833-6234 or access@cvtc.edu to discuss appropriate and available modifications based on their individual needs. Students are encouraged to request pregnancy-related modifications as promptly as possible.

Last Updated: February 27, 2026 @ 4:03 p.m.