What degree do you need to actually become a professional cosmetologist

You need a cosmetology license, not a degree, to become a cosmetologist. You would have to go to cosmetology school (one that's approved of by the state you live in), and attend classes there - usually it takes about 1-1.5 years. So in summary, you don't attend college to become a cosmetologist; you just attend cosmetology school so you can get a license (note: you have to take a state test after cosmetology school is over to get your license).