Level I - Certified Scalp Scientist™
College of Trichology ScienceThe Certified Scalp Scientist™ Program is the foundational Level I pathway within the College of Trichology Science at KISSED University of Healing Arts & Sciences. The program provides students with a comprehensive academic foundation in trichology, hair and scalp science, anatomy and physiology, scalp conditions, the history and development of trichology, introductory herbal science, psychological considerations surrounding hair and hair loss, and foundational wellness concepts that influence hair and scalp health. Students develop the scientific vocabulary, observational knowledge, and foundational reasoning necessary to understand hair and scalp concerns while remaining within an appropriate non-medical scope of practice. Successful completion prepares students to advance into the Clinical Trichology Residency and continue toward the Certified Clinical Trichologist credential.
- Tuition
- $2,497
- Credit hours
- 24
- Format
- 100% Online • Self-Paced
- Start
- Open Enrollment • Begin Anytime
- Duration
- Self-Paced • Up to 12 Months
The Certified Scalp Scientist™ Program is the foundational Level I pathway within the College of Trichology Science at KISSED University of Healing Arts & Sciences. The program provides students with a comprehensive academic foundation in trichology, hair and scalp science, anatomy and physiology, scalp conditions, the history and development of trichology, introductory herbal science, psychological considerations surrounding hair and hair loss, and foundational wellness concepts that influence hair and scalp health. Students develop the scientific vocabulary, observational knowledge, and foundational reasoning necessary to understand hair and scalp concerns while remaining within an appropriate non-medical scope of practice. Successful completion prepares students to advance into the Clinical Trichology Residency and continue toward the Certified Clinical Trichologist credential.
Where this program sits in the pathway
- · Online Self-Paced — Complete the Level I foundational trichology curriculum online through self-paced coursework.
- · Online Clinical Residency — Complete the Level II clinical residency through supervised online clinical coursework, case-based learning, applied assignments, and required clinical competencies.
- · In-Person Clinical Residency — Complete the Level II clinical residency through approved hands-on clinical training at KISSED University.
Completing these programs in sequence satisfies the complete-programme requirements. There is no further curriculum to purchase afterwards.
- Level I — Level I - Certified Scalp Scientist™
- Level II — Level II - Clinical Trichology Residency™
- · Complete Clinical Trichology Pathway — Enter the complete Clinical Trichologist pathway and complete the required Level I foundational curriculum and Level II clinical residency.
- · Progressive Pathway — Complete Level I Certified Scalp Scientist™ first and then complete Level II Clinical Trichology Residency™; successful completion of both satisfies the academic requirements for the Certified Clinical Trichologist™ credential.
The complete programme contains the earlier levels. It is an enrollment pathway, not additional coursework taken afterwards.
- · Online Clinical Residency — Complete the Level II clinical residency through supervised online clinical coursework, case-based learning, applied assignments, and required clinical competencies.
- · In-Person Clinical Residency — Complete the Level II clinical residency through approved hands-on clinical training at KISSED University.
- · KISSED Clinical Trichology Graduate — Enter Level IV after satisfying the Certified Clinical Trichologist™ academic requirements through completion of the KISSED University Level I and Level II curricula.
- · Approved External Equivalency — Applicants with comparable prior trichology education may request an Academic Pathway Review to determine eligibility for doctoral-level study.
Requirements are evaluated on the coursework completed, whichever enrollment route is used. Documented comparable prior trichology education may be considered on academic review.
Where this program leads
The Certified Scalp Scientist™ Program is Level I of the KISSED University Trichology Science pathway and provides the foundational academic study of hair, scalp, wellness, and trichological science. Students begin with core theory and progress through the scientific, psychological, herbal, nutritional, and analytical foundations used in trichology. Graduates who wish to advance beyond foundational scalp science may continue into applied clinical education through the Clinical Trichology Residency and progress toward the Certified Clinical Trichologist credential. Advanced graduates may ultimately pursue the Doctor of Trichology Science™ pathway.
Entry point: Open enrollment — no prior trichology credential required.
- Step 1Level I — Certified Scalp Scientist™
Build the foundational scientific knowledge of hair, scalp, wellness, and trichology.
- Step 2Level II — Clinical Trichology Residency
Develop applied clinical competencies through advanced methodologies, technologies, therapies, assessment, documentation, and supervised clinical training.
- Step 3Level III — Certified Clinical Trichologist
Complete the professional trichology pathway integrating academic preparation, clinical competency, and comprehensive assessment.
- Step 4Level IV — Doctor of Trichology Science™
Advance into doctoral-level trichology study emphasizing advanced practice, leadership, integrative science, professional scholarship, and an applied doctoral project.
- Scalp Wellness Education
- Trichology Support Services
- Hair & Scalp Consultation
- Beauty and Wellness Practice Integration
- Trichology Education and Community Outreach
- Advanced Trichology Study
Professional directions are illustrative. The University does not guarantee employment, income, licensure or external board certification.
8 courses
TRI-101 Introduction to Trichology
Build a strong foundation in hair and scalp science, professional terminology, consultation basics, ethics, and scope-aware trichology practice in this first course of the Certified Scalp Scientist™ curriculum.
- · Define trichology and accurately explain its historical development, contemporary purpose, and relationship to adjacent disciplines.
- · Use foundational trichology terminology correctly when describing hair structure, scalp observations, growth phases, and common concerns.
- · Differentiate the professional role of the trichologist from the roles of cosmetologists, dermatologists, physicians, and other allied professionals.
- · Describe foundational concepts in hair and scalp science, including basic anatomy, the hair growth cycle, and major internal and external influences on hair and scalp health.
TRI-102 Anatomy & Physiology for Trichologists
Build the anatomy and physiology foundation every trichology student needs to understand hair, scalp, follicles, skin, and the body systems that support healthy tissue function.
- · Use foundational anatomical and physiological terminology accurately in trichology-related discussion and documentation.
- · Describe the major layers, tissues, and accessory structures of the skin and scalp and explain their basic functions.
- · Identify the major anatomical structures of the hair follicle and explain the functional significance of each structure.
- · Explain the structure of the hair shaft and relate fiber anatomy to observable properties such as strength, elasticity, porosity, texture, and breakage.
TRI-103 Scalp Science
Study the scalp as a living biological environment and learn to observe, document, and interpret common scalp presentations within professional trichology scope.
- · Explain the biological characteristics of a healthy scalp environment, including homeostasis and scalp-hair relationships.
- · Describe the structure and function of the scalp barrier, including the stratum corneum, acid mantle, hydration, lipids, and transepidermal water loss.
- · Explain sebaceous function, sebum variability, foundational microbiome concepts, and normal keratinization and desquamation as they relate to scalp observation.
- · Differentiate and describe observable variations in hydration, oiliness, scaling, buildup, erythema, irritation, and other common scalp presentations using objective terminology.
TRI-104 History & Professional Foundations of Trichology
Explore how trichology developed as a specialized field and learn the ethical, credentialing, scope, and professional standards that define responsible contemporary practice.
- · Describe major historical developments that contributed to the emergence of modern trichology as a specialized field.
- · Explain how advances in anatomy, microscopy, dermatology, and hair science changed professional understanding of hair and scalp concerns.
- · Differentiate academic education, certificate of completion, certification, board certification, accreditation, and licensure using accurate professional terminology.
- · Analyze how jurisdiction, underlying licensure, competency, employer policy, and regulation affect professional scope of practice in trichology-related settings.
TRI-105 Herbal Medicine for Trichology
Build a strong foundation in herbal medicine for trichology through botanical terminology, materia medica, preparation methods, safety, evidence evaluation, and responsible wellness-oriented application.
- · Explain foundational principles, terminology, and evidence-informed frameworks used in herbal medicine and phytotherapy.
- · Differentiate common plant parts, major phytochemical categories, and herbal action terminology relevant to botanical preparations.
- · Compare major herbal preparation methods, including infusions, decoctions, tinctures, glycerites, oils, and topical preparations, in terms of purpose, extraction principles, and safety.
- · Construct and use a structured professional materia medica entry for botanicals relevant to scalp wellness and whole-person support.
TRI-106 The Psychology of Hair
Explore the emotional, social, cultural, and behavioral meanings of hair and hair loss, and learn compassionate, scope-conscious communication for trichology practice.
- · Explain relationships among hair, identity, self-concept, self-esteem, and body image using foundational psychological terminology.
- · Describe how cultural, social, racialized, gendered, and lifespan factors can influence the meaning of hair and hair loss without stereotyping clients.
- · Discuss individualized psychological responses to hair loss, appearance change, stress, grief, uncertainty, and coping within a trichology context.
- · Apply active listening, client-centered communication, trauma-informed principles, and expectation-setting techniques during trichology consultations.
TRI-107 Tricho-Math: Applied Mathematics for Trichology
Build practical quantitative confidence for trichology practice through applied measurement, conversions, formulation math, assessment tracking, and professional documentation.
- · Perform foundational arithmetic calculations relevant to trichology practice and verify whether results are reasonable.
- · Convert accurately among fractions, decimals, percentages, and commonly used U.S. customary and metric units.
- · Apply ratios, proportions, formulation percentages, and scaling principles to hair, scalp, herbal, and topical product scenarios.
- · Distinguish weight or mass from volume and select appropriate measurement methods for liquids and dry materials.
A Gut Feeling: Gut Health, Nutrition & Hair
Explore how digestion, nutrition, supplements, the gut microbiome, and whole-person wellness may relate to hair and scalp health while learning evidence-informed boundaries for professional trichology practice.
- · Describe the major gastrointestinal structures and their primary functions in digestion, absorption, and elimination as relevant to trichology practice.
- · Explain foundational processes of digestion, nutrient absorption, and factors that may influence nutrient availability without equating symptoms with diagnosis.
- · Differentiate established knowledge from emerging claims regarding the gut microbiome, gut-skin/hair concepts, intestinal permeability, and inflammation.
- · Compare the physiological roles of major macronutrients and selected micronutrients in normal systemic and hair biology, including deficiency and excess considerations.
Before you apply
Payment options
Program tuition is paid in full, or — where this program supports it — by purchasing eligible courses individually as you progress. The options this program offers are the ones shown at checkout.
How enrollment works
Apply first — the application is free. An approved application confirms you may enroll; enrollment and course access follow payment.
Disclosures
A KUHAS certificate of completion records the education you completed and we assessed. It is not state licensure and not external board certification, and outcomes vary by learner and jurisdiction. All tuition and fees are non-refundable once paid, except where applicable law requires otherwise.