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Ministry-approved title: Esthetician – Spa Management
The Esthetician – Spa Management program allows students to gain skills required to build a career in the high-demand spa and wellness industry. If you love working with people and have a desire to help individuals enhance their appearance and boost their self-esteem, this program will provide you with the theoretical and practical knowledge that you need.
Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or Math. Domestic applicants who are 19 years of age or older as of the start date of their program, and who do not have the required program credit(s), i.e. Grade 12 English and/or Grade 12 Math are eligible to take an admissions assessment test.
Learn more about how to book Pre-Admission Assessment Testing here.
DC also offers Academic Upgrading. Courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program. Available to individuals 18+, these courses are offered on campus at DC. Boost your qualifications with:
Learn more about Academic Upgrading and connect with our team to get started.
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The Esthetician – Spa Management program at Durham College offers a holistic approach that combines hands-on training in esthetic techniques with essential business, communication, and management skills. Students graduate prepared to launch their own business or pursue careers in spas, clinics, or wellness environments.
Hands-on courses cover manicure and pedicure technologies, waxing, body treatments, and a range of facial techniques. Students also learn advanced skincare procedures used in medical esthetics, such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and intense pulsed light (IPL) technology, using state-of-the-art equipment in professional lab settings.
Training takes place at DC’s Spa, where students build practical skills alongside peers and, in their second year, provide services to the public under faculty supervision. The experience also includes assisting with day-to-day spa and retail operations, including planning, organization, marketing, and client care—giving students a real-world understanding of how a spa functions.
Faculty members bring current industry expertise to the classroom. A comprehensive professional kit is included in the program, with top-ups each semester aligned with lab course requirements. Students gain experience using professional skincare lines, including:
Durham College ESMG graduates are award-winning. Students selected to compete at the Skills Ontario competition have earned multiple gold and silver medals, including a silver medalist at the national Skills Canada competition in the post-secondary Aesthetics category.
In order to participate in the lab component of the program uniforms must be worn at all times. Students must meet the pre-lab requirements as described below.
To be eligible for the lab/placement component of this program, you must (at your expense) provide:
In order to maintain confidentiality and security, the program utilizes an independent provider, Verified by Synergy Gateway, for documentation collection and validation. This process is the Electronic Requirements Verfication (ERV). There is a cost associated with this external agency of $52.50. Please refer to the Esthetician – Spa Management Program ERV Information Package for details.
Durham College is a member of Cosmetics Alliance Canada.
Students entering their first year of studies in a Faculty of Business and Information Technology program will receive a membership to all of Durham Region’s Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade for the duration of their studies, plus an additional year following graduation. As one of the only colleges in Ontario with this offering, DC is proud to provide students with access to local businesses at a regional level.
The Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade include:
Membership benefits:
The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC. Students are responsible to ensure they are not duplicating their GNED or FNMI selections as per their diploma requirements. For a successful program completion, students must have successfully completed three unique elective courses as per their program of study.
Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
In person
Students will come to campus to complete in-person learning requirements. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
Program fees listed include charges for student kit learning materials and uniform retained by the student. These items are non-refundable once received and will remain the property of the student.
School is an investment in your future, and financial support is available to help you succeed.
DC's Financial Aid and Awards is here to help you access funding and opportunities that make pursuing your education easier and more achievable:
Visit Financial Aid and Awards to explore all the options to help finance your education.
You will gain real-world experience during your onsite Durham College Spa work placement, where you will deliver spa services to the public while being supervised by expert faculty, as well as assist with the planning, organization and management of day-to-day retail operations and spa marketing strategies.
Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.
Looking for more pathway opportunities or to transfer to Durham College? Click here for more information.
Dara, a passionate skincare specialist with 24 years of experience and the highest-level CIDESCO Diploma, excels in educating future estheticians. Dara has been instrumental in curriculum planning, development, and executing an engaging environment for students to thrive. As a business owner, she continues her education, striving for personal and professional growth.
As a seasoned Esthetician since 2008, Sondra has dedicated her career to the skincare industry, driven by a passion for helping clients feel their best inside and out. Sondra’s commitment to education extends to mentoring and training new professionals, providing them with the knowledge and confidence needed to excel in their careers.
Alana has been engaged in the beauty industry since 2016, and her passion for manicures and pedicures has led her to become an educator. Alana’s responsibilities extend beyond the classroom, as she actively participates in providing spa services. As a skilled professional, Alana was honored with a Gold Readers' Choice Award for Best Esthetician in 2021.
Beauty Therapy has been Lynn’s passion for over 30 years. She has been fortunate to work in different fields in the esthetics industry and an educator since 2014. Lynn also has experience as a brand educator and continues to develop her knowledge and skills to remain current in this ever-evolving world of beauty.
Marisa, a Professor at Durham College since 2018, brings over 30 years of Esthetics and Cosmetics experience to her teaching. She is also a Cidesco member and former entrepreneur. Marisa has coached students to gold and silver medals at the Skills Ontario and Skills Canada competitions, showcasing her commitment to excellence and student success.
With 28 years experience in Esthetics and 14 years as a Medical Esthetician, Nicoletta excels in advanced skincare treatments. Passionate about enhancing skin health through diverse procedures, she ensures optimal results and client satisfaction. Her ultimate goal is to educate and empower students by sharing her extensive knowledge and passion.
After three decades of leadership experience at General Motors, a keen entrepreneurial spirit, Leslie has become a seasoned expert in Spa Management and Retail Operations. Leveraging a solid foundation in business honed through an MBA, Leslie transitioned from the automotive industry to the wellness sector, now owning a successful Spa business.
Jennifer Van Assche has over 25 years in the cosmetics industry, including 5 years specializing in lashes. She's worked with high-end salons and prestigious brands. For the past three years, she's been an instructor at Durham College, sharing her expertise in creativity, precision, and client care with her students.
Amanda Watson, a professor with 7 years of experience teaching at Durham College and entrepreneurship spanning 30 years in the esthetic and photography industries. She is passionate about teaching and upholds a student-centered philosophy. Amanda strives to empower students to be their best and succeed in their future careers.
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