Medical Skin Care Therapies

Description

Students explore essential and advanced theory and practice skills related to the field of medical esthetics. Emphasis is placed on developing the knowledge, skills and judgement necessary to provide a treatment plan and make professional recommendations and referrals when appropriate. Students learn to work with relevant medical professionals in a safe and competent manner. The practice component is conducted in a lab/clinic environment where best practice, current regulations and protocols are adhered to.

Career Opportunities

Successful graduates may be employed in dermatology clinics, medical spas, laser care facilities, wellness centers, plastic surgeons' offices, dental spas, destination and resort spas, day spas, educational facilities, spa management/owner, and as brand representatives. 

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. communicate and coordinate care and treatments to support patient's concerns and goals;
2. comply with applicable Canadian legislation, regulations, standards, and ethical practices to ensure safety of clients, self and others while administering esthetic services;
3. perform thorough examinations and implement individualized treatment plans to address typical and special population patient skin conditions;
4. anticipate and resolve complex problems related to medical skin care by using critical thinking and problem-solving techniques;
5. analyze a variety of medical esthetic procedures and contraindications in order to implement a treatment plan;
6. consider environmentally sustainable strategies and products to offer a socially conscious service;
7. collaborate with members of the esthetics and medical teams to build interprofessional relationships that contribute to a safe and positive workplace;
8. educate clients on the connection between body systems and skin conditions across all stages of human development;
9. develop and apply entrepreneurial and business strategies to navigate career paths as a medical esthetics professional;
10. use retail strategies to suggest and describe the use of skin health products to help the client maintain and improve appearance.

Program Progression 

The following reflects the planned progression for full-time offerings of the program.

Intake Suspension Fall 2025

Fall Intake

• Sem 1: Fall 2025
• Sem 2: Winter 2026

Admission Requirements

• Postsecondary public college diploma in an esthetician program

Applicants that hold a CIDESCO or esthetics diploma from a private college may also be considered. Selection will be based on a competency test.

Criminal Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check

Placement agencies require an up-to-date clear criminal reference check and vulnerable sector check prior to going out on placement. Students should obtain their criminal reference three months prior to placement; checks conducted earlier may not be considered current. As some jurisdictions require longer lead-time for processing, please check with the program coordinator to ensure you allow for sufficient turn-around time. It is the student's responsibility to provide the completed document prior to placement start.

NOTE: Individuals who have been charged or convicted criminally and not pardoned will be prohibited from proceeding to a clinical or work placement.

Additional Information

It is required that students have Standard First Aid upon registration to the program. It is the student's responsibility to renew their First Aid certification when expired. Students are asked to submit a copy of their current Standard First Aid certificate before classes begin.

Graduation Requirements

8 Program Courses
2 Clinical Placements

Graduation Eligibility

To graduate from this program, a student must attain a minimum of 60% or a letter grade of P (Pass) or S (Satisfactory) in each course in each semester. The passing weighted average for promotion through each semester and to graduate is 60%.

Program Tracking 

The following reflects the planned course sequence for full-time offerings of the Fall intake of the program. Where more  than one intake is offered  contact the program co-ordinator for the program tracking.

Plan of Study Grid

Semester 1		Hours
Program Courses
MDSC 1000	Medical Skin Care Science	42
MDSC 1001	Medical Skin Care Techniques	42
MDSC 1002	Medical Skin Care Applications	84
MDSC 1008	The Medical Esthetic Practice and the Cosmetic Patient	28
Clinical Placement
MDSC 1004	Medical Skin Care Clinic	84
	Hours	280
Semester 2
Program Courses
MDSC 1003	Oncology Esthetics	42
MDSC 1005	Medical Intervention and Plastic Surgery Procedures	42
MDSC 1006	Advanced Medical Skin Care Techniques	42
MDSC 1010	Advanced Medical Skin Care Applications	84
Clinical Placement
MDSC 1009	Advanced Medical Esthetics Clinic	84
	Hours	294
	Total Hours	574

Graduation Window

Students unable to adhere to the program duration of one year (as stated above) may take a maximum of two years to complete their credential. After this time, students must be re-admitted into the program, and follow the curriculum in place at the time of re-admission.

Disclaimer: The information in this document is correct at the time of publication. Academic content of programs and courses is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational objectives and employment market needs. 

Program outlines may be subject to change in response to emerging situations, in order to facilitate student achievement of the learning outcomes required for graduation. Components such as courses, progression, coop work terms, placements, internships and other requirements may be delivered differently than published.