Esthetics/Facial Specialist
Esthetics/Facial Specialist
Turn your passion for skincare into a career you'll love. Â鶹Æƽâ°æ's Esthetics/Facial Specialist program prepares you for work as a licensed Skin Care Specialist in just one year. You'll build real, hands-on skills through coursework designed to meet the licensure requirements set by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. From your first class to your state board exam, you'll gain the confidence and training to step into a growing field — close to home.
Top Careers in Esthetics
A career in esthetics lets you help people look and feel their best every day. As a licensed esthetician, you'll provide treatments that improve and protect the health and appearance of the skin. Your training prepares you to deliver personalized care, read each client's needs, and build the kind of trust that keeps people coming back.
Estheticians offer a wide range of services. You'll learn to perform facials, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, waxing, and other skincare treatments. These services address common concerns like acne, aging, hyperpigmentation, and sensitivity. You'll also guide clients on proper skincare and recommend homecare routines that make professional results last.
Your skills travel with you across many settings. Estheticians work in spas, salons, medical clinics, and dermatology offices. Wherever you land, you'll combine technical know-how with a personal touch — assessing each client's skin, setting clear goals, and recommending the right products and techniques.
Strong skills open doors — and so does the pay. Skincare specialists in Texas earn an average of $49,250 a year according to O*NET. Those starting out earn around $27,390 a year, while the top earners make $84,180 or more. With experience, a loyal client base, and a license in hand, you can grow your career and your earnings in a field that's always in demand.
Schedule a Meeting
Carla Santos Garcia
Program Coordinator
Cosmetology Annex Building, Office 113
Phone: 409-984-6421
Email: santoscs@lamarpa.edu
Dr. Blas A. Canedo-Gonzalez
Chair of Commercial Music, Visual and Performing Arts
Sam and Linda Monroe Performing Arts Center Building, Office 144
Phone: 409-984-6547
Email: canedoba@lamarpa.edu
Program Information
| Course | Title | SCH |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | ||
| CSME 1248 | Principles of Skin Care | 2 |
| CSME 1421 | Principles of Facial & Skin Care Technology I | 4 |
| CSME 1445 | Principles of Facial & Skin Care Technology II | 4 |
| Second Semester | ||
| CSME 2251 | Preparation for the State Licensing Practical Examination | 2 |
| CSME 2343 | Salon Development | 3 |
| CSME 2531 | Principles of Facial & Skin Care Technology III | 5 |
| Total | 20 | |
The Â鶹Æƽâ°æ Esthetics/Facial Specialist program is built to move you into the workforce — fast. In about one year, you can complete your training, pass your state board exam, and start building a real career as a licensed Skin Care Specialist. Here's how the program sets you up for success:
- Earn your license in about a year. The recommended program of study totals 20 semester credit hours across one year. Each course is designed to meet the licensure requirements set by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, so you graduate ready to test.
- Master in-demand, hands-on skills. Your training covers facials, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, waxing, and skincare services that address acne, aging, hyperpigmentation, and sensitivity. You'll also learn to educate clients on homecare routines that keep results going.
- Step into a career in many settings. Licensed estheticians work in spas, salons, medical clinics, and dermatology offices. Your skills open doors across the beauty and skincare industry.
- Build the professional habits that matter. You'll learn to model professional and ethical behavior, practice every sanitary and safety measure, demonstrate proficiency in your esthetic skills, and prepare to pass state board requirements with confidence.
With a license in hand and real client experience behind you, you can enter the workforce, grow your skills, and build a career on a timeline that fits your goals.
What is the Esthetics/Facial Specialist program at Â鶹Æƽâ°æ?
The program prepares you for a career as a licensed Skin Care Specialist. You'll build hands-on skills in facials, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, waxing, and other skincare treatments. The recommended courses are designed to meet the licensure requirements set by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, so you finish ready to test and work.
How long does the program take to complete?
You can finish in about one year. The recommended program of study totals 20 semester credit hours. An advisor will help you build a plan that fits your work, family, and goals — close to home.
What license or certification will I need?
To work as an esthetician in Texas, you'll need a license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). First, you'll complete your program of study at Â鶹Æƽâ°æ. Then you'll pass both a written exam and a practical, hands-on exam. Once you pass both parts, TDLR issues your license to practice in the state.
What skills will I build in this program?
You'll build practical, career-ready skills the industry depends on. Your training focuses on:
- Performing facials, including cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, and hydration
- Delivering treatments like chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and waxing
- Addressing concerns such as acne, aging, hyperpigmentation, and sensitivity
- Educating clients on proper skincare and homecare routines
- Practicing sanitary and safety measures that protect public health
These are the hands-on skills that prepare you to step confidently behind the chair.
What do I need before my first class?
A few simple steps get you ready. All students must register with TDLR by the first class day and pay the $25.00 registration fee — bring cash, a debit card, or a receipt from the Business Office. You'll also need a 1½ x 1½ picture for your TDLR permit and proof of a TB skin test taken within the last six months. Submit your TB results to the instructor by the first class day.
Is there a dress code?
Yes. Every student follows the dress code set by the Â鶹Æƽâ°æ Cosmetology Program and TDLR. That means an all-black scrub top, pants, and lab jacket, plus tennis shoes. Keep your hair neat and your nails at an average length for safety and sanitation. You must be in uniform before clocking in and stay in uniform until clocking out.
What do I need to do to stay eligible for the state board exam?
Two things matter most: passing your courses and showing up. Â鶹Æƽâ°æ requires you to complete and pass each course with a "C" or better. TDLR also requires you to finish all registered modules and be in attendance to earn the credit hours you need to sit for the state board exam.
What if I miss class?
Â鶹Æƽâ°æ gives you the chance to make up missed days every Friday, so a few absences don't have to slow you down. Make up your lab and skills assignments before the end of the semester. Depending on how many days you miss, you may receive an Incomplete with the option to finish the work the following semester.
What's the difference between an esthetician and a cosmetologist?
Both are licensed beauty professionals, but they focus on different work. Estheticians specialize in skincare — facials, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, waxing, and treatments for issues like acne and aging. Cosmetologists focus on hair, makeup, and nail services. If skincare is your passion, the Esthetics/Facial Specialist program is your path.
What challenges should I expect in the profession?
Esthetics is rewarding, hands-on work, and it asks a lot of you too. You'll spend long hours on your feet, manage client expectations, and stay current with changing trends. Many estheticians also handle the business side — scheduling, inventory, and marketing. The skills you build at Â鶹Æƽâ°æ prepare you for all of it.
What salary can I expect?
Pay depends on your setting and experience. According to O*NET, esthetics has a bright outlook, with local pay typically ranging from $20 to $22 an hour. Other parts of the state may offer a slightly higher range. As you grow your skills and build a loyal client base, you open the door to more.
Are there student organizations I can join?
Yes. You can get involved with the Alpha Beta Gamma Business Honor Society and the Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP). These groups help you connect with peers, build your network, and grow in the field.
How do I get started?
Take the first step today. Apply through ApplyTexas, then talk to an advisor about your goals. They'll walk you through enrollment, financial aid, and your course plan — one clear step at a time, close to home.
The Â鶹Æƽâ°æ Advantage
Ready to turn your eye for skincare into a career you can build on? Your path in esthetics starts at Â鶹Æƽâ°æ. In about one year, you'll prepare for real work as a licensed Skin Care Specialist, with coursework built to meet the licensure requirements set by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation — and to get you ready for the state board exam.
At Â鶹Æƽâ°æ, you learn by doing. Supportive instructors and hands-on practice mean you build real skills from day one. You'll master facials, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, waxing, and the treatments clients count on, while learning the professional and ethical behavior, sanitary and safety practices, and client care that keep people coming back.
By graduation, you'll have more than a license. You'll have practical skills, real client experience, and the confidence to step behind the chair. It's affordable, career-ready training that meets you where you are. Build your future in esthetics, close to home.