Cosmetology Department

A message from the cosmetology department faculty and staff:

Dear Future Beauty Professionals

Welcome to the Cosmetology Department at San Diego City College,

We commit to providing you with every opportunity to succeed in all of our programs, which include esthetics, nail tech and cosmetology. Our instructional faculty are industry experts, highly educated and are always excited to share career experiences and foundational skills. Our goal is to prepare you for California's State Board of Cosmetology licensing examination and beyond. We are the only program in the state of California that can offer students the option of obtaining a certificate of achievement or an associate degree in cosmetology or esthetics.  At City College Cosmetology, diversity and inclusion is important and we empower our students with the knowledge needed to perform services on any hair or skin type. Our comprehensive programing and use of the latest digital educational platforms ensure that our students are prepared and ready to meet the demands of this creative and exciting industry. Our long standing program will instill in each student a strong foundation and competitive edge. We believe these attributes will lead to the best opportunities that the beauty industry has to offer.  Join us and begin your journey as beauty professional at City College School of Cosmetology.

Student Service Salon

Salon Services are available to the general public. We use a cashless system for payment. All services are performed by students under the supervision of our state licensed faculty.

Services Schedule

Salon and Spa Services will be returning for the Spring 2025 semester.

Cosmetology: Thursday & Friday 9:00AM - 1:00PM (starting February 2025)

Esthetics: Wednesday - Friday 9:00AM - 2:00PM (starting April 2025)

Nails: Wednesday - Friday 9:00AM - 12:00PM (starting April 2025)

Cashless Payments Only!

Please see our Salon & Spa Services Page for further details.

Programs

Our Cosmetology Department currently offers:

Cosmetology	1000 Hours - 2 Semesters	Fall Start Only	Full Time: M-F 8:30am-3:30pm
Esthetics	600 Hours - 1 Semester	Fall Start & Spring Start	Full Time: M-F 7:30am-5:15pm
Nail Technician	400 Hours - 1 Semester	Fall Start & Spring Start	Full Time: M-F 8:30 am-2:30 pm
Barbering	Not Offered at this time	Not Offered at this time	Not Offered at this time
Part-Time Programs	Not Offered at this time	Not Offered at this time	Not Offered at this time

The Esthetician program and Nail Technology programs are only offered at the start of the Fall and Spring semesters. 

The Cosmetology program has (1) one cohort start every fall which will complete the program at the end of that academic year. (4) four successful 8-week sessions entitle the student to a certificate of acheivement and proof of training document, which is necessary to petition the California State Board for the state licensing examination. 

Tuition Cost

For cost breakdown, including books and supplies, please see specific programs page.

Cosmetology

6 units per session ➢ $46.00 per unit ➢ $276.00 per session ➢ 32 units required to complete the program ➢ 32 X $46.00  = $1,472.00

Esthetics

9 units per session ➢ $46.00 per unit ➢ $414.00 per session ➢ 18 units required to complete the program ➢ 18 X $46.00  = $828.00

Nail Technician

5.5 units per session ➢ $46.00 per unit ➢ $253.00 per session ➢ 11 units required to complete the program ➢ 11 X $46.00 = $506.00 

~Out-of-state rate = $304.00 per unit~

Enrollment Guide  

Thank you for your interest in our programs!

We strongly recommend beginning your enrollment process one to two semesters before the one you want to attend.

1. All students must apply for Admission to the college and obtain a student identification number 
2. Declare your interest in Cosmetology as your major/course of study. Admission is restricted and requires a permission code (see step 6) 
3. Apply for FAFSA and PELL Grants. For questions, please contact the Financial Aid Department. 
4. Visit a Counselor 
5. Attend ONE of the three available Virtual Information Sessions to request an invitation to the in-person orientation. 
6. It is mandatory to attend In-Person Orientation to enroll into a program. Limited seating is available for all programs.  Make sure to provide your name, as it appears on your student ID, as well as your ID number to be entered into the lottery.  

If selected for your program’s session, you will receive a follow-up email with your next steps.  

Please follow the enrollment steps. Make sure you attend the virtual orientation, and the in-person orientation to enter the permission code lottery for your chosen program.  

Scroll down to the "Virtual Information Session" section further down for updates on dates and times.

Virtual Information Session Dates for Fall 2025

All Virtual Information Sessions for the Fall 2025 cohort have concluded.

All students who attended and are on the email list, should have already received an email with details regarding the In-Person Orientations. Please email us at citycosmoenroll@sdccd.edu if you have any questions or issues.

If you are interested in joining the permission code lottery for the Spring 2026 Cosmetology Cohort, please check back here for updated dates and times at a later time. 

Thank you for your interest in our programs and we look forward to seeing you all soon!

Associate Degree

All prospective students interested in an associate's degree in either Cosmetology or Esthetics may be eligible to receive a guaranteed spot in the cohort of their choosing, if spots are available. You will need to have all of your general education units (GEUs) completed prior to the in-person orientation for the session you would like to attend to be eligible for saved spot.  

If you have completed your general education units at SDCCD, please meet with a counselor and have them evaluate your credits. If you meet the requirements, please have your counselor send citycosmoenroll@sdccd.edu an email confirming that you only have your program courses left to receive your associates degree. We will then be able to save you a seat in the class.  

Counseling Services:

Office in A-366 

619-388-3540 

https://www.sdcity.edu/students/counseling/meet-counselor.aspx 

If you have taken your general education units at a different institution, you will need submit a transcript evaluation form first. Below you will find more information about this process as well as the district contact information for evaluations: 

Transcript Evaluations:  

Office A-366   

619-388-3549  

https://www.sdccd.edu/students/evaluations/transcript-evaluations.aspx  

To Submit Transcript Evaluations:  

https://www.sdccd.edu/students/forms-and-documents.aspx  

Follow the link provided and use the form linked under "Request for Transcript Evaluations"  

Once your transcripts have been evaluated, you can meet with a counselor to go over your education plan for Cosmetology. Let them know you need a confirmation email sent to us here (citycosmoenroll@sdccd.edu) that states you meet the GEU requirements, and we will go ahead and secure your spot.  

*** Please note, evaluations can take anywhere from 12-18 weeks to complete***

Financial Aid

Our Cosmetology, Esthetician, and Nail Technician Programs encourage all students to seek assistance from financial aid for eligibility requirements. All prospective students should apply for the current year's FASA; apply early.  Students that are determined financially eligible for assistance could have the cost of tools, uniforms and books covered. Please see a financial aid counselor to see if you qualify.

Website: www.sdcity.edu/future-students/financialaid

Location: A-building , Rm. A-270

Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:00am-6:00pm & Friday 8:00am-1:00pm

Office Phone: (619) 388-3501

Email:cityaid@sdccd.edu

ALL PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS:

1. You must attend (1) one virtual information session; request a invitation to the in-person orientation - permission code lottery, date for orientation TBA.  A student indentification number is necessary to register for the course.

2. Students that receive permission codes in the lottery need to register ASAP. Your registration is not complete until your student fees are completely funded. All unused permission codes will be reassigned to those who did not receive one in the permission code lottery.

3. There is no "Wait List" available.

4. There is (1) one cosmetology cohort per year entering in the fall and completing the program by the end of the spring session.

5. Esthetics and Nail Technology will have (2) two cohorts per year (1) one in the fall & (1) one in the spring.

6. Students seeking guaranteed admission need to complete all general education courses and apply to obtain an associates degree in Cosmetology or Esthetics with their counselor. Contact us for more information about our degree programs.

Community Engagement and School Tours will be upon request through the College Outreach Program.

Please contact our Outreach Department at CityOutreach@sdccd.edu to schedule High School Tours of our department or request a school visit as we participate in the "Workforce Wednesday" program.

You are welcome contact us with any questions, comments, or concerns at citycosmoenroll@sdccd.edu. or 619.388.3574

Course Catalog Descriptions

Click here for course descriptions from Catalog

Program Learning Outcomes

Display competence in the subjects covered in the course and is evidenced by a minimum final examination score of 75 percent or greater