Cosmetology
Cosmetology
Learn professional cosmetic services in salons, resorts, casinos, dermatologist’s offices and other related industry establishments. This includes courses in hair design, hair sculpting, chemical, esthetic and other cosmetic services, safety and sanitation, management, customer service, and preparation for practicing as licensed cosmetologist in the state of California. Information regarding program costs and supplemental application information is at the bottom of this page.
Contact Information
Advanced Technical Arts and Trades, and Education and Teacher Preparation Engagement
Center
Phone: (951) 222-8624
Location: Technology A Building, Room 101
Lorena Franco, Educational Advisor
Lorena.Franco@rcc.edu
(951) 222-8624
Cosmetology Department
CosmoAppointment@rcc.edu
(951) 222-8182
| Barbering Concepts AS
CE
|
Major Units 41 |
Typical Time to Completion 2 years |
|
| Cosmetology Concepts AS
CE
|
Major Units 39 |
Typical Time to Completion 2 years |
|
| Cosmetology Instructor Training CE
|
Major Units 14 |
Typical Time to Completion 1 year |
Program Requirements |
| Esthetician Concepts AS
CE
|
Major Units 20 |
Typical Time to Completion 1-2 years |
|
| Hairstyling Concepts CE
|
Major Units 19 |
Typical Time to Completion 1-2 years |
|
| Manicuring Concepts CE
|
Major Units 14 |
Typical Time to Completion 1 year |
If you are interested in technical trades, you can explore other instructional pathways in Advanced Technical Arts and Trades.
How to Apply to Cosmetology and Esthetician Programs
Students must submit an RCC application for the semester they plan to attend the Cosmetology program. Students must submit an application to the college through CCC Apply and must select Cosmetology as Intended Major. Students can apply for all of next year’s semesters as early as October 1 of the year before.
Example: Students can apply for 2021 spring, 2021 summer and 2021 fall as early as October 1, 2020.
Once student has submitted the RCC online application, you must wait 3 business days to receive an email with assigned RCCD student ID number. Please read this email carefully, as there are more steps required in order to complete the RCC application. If applicant is a new college student, student must complete online orientation in order to register for the course and receive any financial aid assistance. For more information about becoming an RCCD student, visit the Become a Student page
Home College and Program of Study
Currently enrolled students must select one of the Cosmetology programs as their program
of study. Students change their major in My Portal. Riverside City College (RCC) must
be designated as your home school.
To change your home college:
- Complete the Request Home College Change Form
- Email the form to to admissionsriverside@rcc.edu.
For assistance changing your home college, email wearecte@rcc.edu.
Financial Aid
Students can also complete the online Financial Aid application. Be sure to complete the Financial Aid application as early as October
1st of each year, as long as the student is a college student.
Students interested in applying for the Cosmetology or Esthetician Programs must submit a second application under the Supplemental Applications section located in student’s RCC student account listed as the Cosmetology application. The second Cosmetology application is for both Cosmetology and Esthetician Programs. Please know that the second Cosmetology/Esthetician application is only available 15 days out of the entire year, see below for details:
- If applying for the fall semester, the second cosmetology application will be open the third week in June
- If applying for the spring semester, the second cosmetology application will be open the third week on October
- If applying for the summer semester, the second cosmetology application will be open third week in March
The second Cosmetology application window for the upcoming semesters are as follows:
- Summer 2026 – no new programs will begin this semester
- Fall 2026 – June 15 – 22, 2026 (cosmetology day, cosmetology evening, esthetician day, barbering evening programs scheduled, subject to change).
-
Spring 2027 – October 19 – 26, 2026 (cosmetology evening, esthetician day, and manicuring afternoon programs scheduled, subject to change)
-
Summer 2027 – March 15 -22, 2027 (cosmetology day and barbering evening programs scheduled, subject to change)
Students can only submit one application so be sure to check the appropriate box. Students will know the application processed if student tries to submit a second time and you receive a message stating student can only submit one application.
Candidates are selected by Lottery
Within 30 days of submitting the second Cosmetology/Esthetician application students will receive an email to student’s RCC student email address stating the status of the student’s application, along with detailed instructions on what to do next, please read this email in its entirety.
If student is not selected, student must submit another application for the next term and be sure to have an RCC application on file for the term student is applying for.
Program Costs
The total estimated costs are approximately $5,000 for the Cosmetology program, $4,500 for the Esthetician program, $5,000 for the Barbering program, and $1,600 for the Manicuring program.
In addition to tuition and fees, students are required to purchase the items listed below plus program specific supplies. All students are encouraged to apply for financial aid and more information will be provided at the program orientation. All prices are subject to change.
Cosmetology:
- 2 Cosmetology Kits - The first kit is approximately $950* and must be purchased the week before classes start. The second kit is approximately $1,050* and must be purchased in the third class of the cohort.
- Textbooks- Cost is approximately $400*.
- Uniforms- Students are required to wear an RCC Cosmetology approved uniform: solid black short sleeve scrubs with a V-neck and no prints.
Esthetician:
- 4 Esthetician Kits – Cost is approximately $2,299*.
- Textbooks –Cost is approximately $400*.
- Uniforms – Students are required to wear an RCC Esthetician approved uniform: pewter color scrub top and bottom, white lab coat and solid white leather shoes.
Barbering:
- 2 Barbering Kits- The first kit is approximately $1,100* and must be purchased the week before classes start. The second kit is approximately $810* and must be purchased in the third class of the cohort.
- Textbooks- Cost is approximately $450*.
- Uniforms- Students are required to wear an RCC Barbering approved uniform: solid hunter green scrubs with a V-neck and no prints. Solid black leather shoes.
Manicuring:
- Manicuring Kit- Cost is approximately $400*.
- Textbooks - Cost is approximately $270*.
- Uniforms- Students are required to wear an RCC Manicuring approved uniform: solid burgundy scrubs with a V-neck and no prints. Solid black leather shoes.
*Estimated. All costs are subject to change.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN RCC’S COSMETOLOGY AND ESTHETICIAN PROGRAMS!
If you are currently enrolled in Cosmetology program courses, or you have received an acceptance letter after submitting your supplemental application, please contact your Educational Resource Advisor.
For additional information not found on this website, please direct all inquiries the ATAT & EDU Academic Engagement Center listed in the contact section.
Frequently Asked Questions
This program is offered with two different schedules: day and evening.
Day schedule: Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Evening schedule: Monday through Friday from 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm.
Please note: All programs within the cosmetology department are attendance-based cohorts, and regular attendance is required to meet state board guidelines.
This program is offered with an evening schedule which meets Monday through Friday from 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm.
Please note: All programs within the cosmetology department are attendance-based cohorts, and regular attendance is required to meet state board guidelines.
This program is offered with a day schedule which meets Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
A student’s progress is determined by academic standing and meeting state agency requirements.
Absenteeism may result in students missing state-required courses which may prevent progress.
Absences should be discussed with the instructor.
Please note: All programs within the cosmetology department are attendance-based cohorts, and regular attendance is required.
All programs are offered as a cohort, meaning students progress through classes together.
Cosmetology:
- Full-time (day): Approximately 8–10 months
- Part-time (evening): Approximately 16–18 months
Barbering:
- Evening only: Approximately 16–18 months
Esthetician:
- Day only: Approximately 6 months
The RCC application typically takes 2–3 business days to process.
Students will receive a welcome email from Riverside City College Admissions and Records within two business days.
After receiving the email, students can log in to MyPortal to submit the supplemental application during the designated application period.
No. Students must calendar the dates of the supplemental application period for the semester they plan to attend.
Students will be notified if they are accepted to the cosmetology program 30 days after the supplemental application closes.
Students who are not accepted into the program will be placed on an alternate list.
Students will be notified of their status via their RCC email and must confirm their place in the program.
Students who are not selected through the lottery process are placed on an alternate list in numeric order.
As spaces become available, they are offered to students in order from the list.
No. The alternate list does not roll over.
Students must submit another supplemental application during the next supplemental application period.
Courses are restricted and only students accepted through the supplemental application lottery may register.
Once accepted, students will be invited to an orientation session where registration information will be provided.
All students are encouraged to apply for FAFSA.
If you need assistance, contact RCC Financial Aid or call (951) 222-8710.
Students must be prepared to pay for required kits, uniforms, and textbooks up front.
RCC enrollment fees are $46 per unit for California residents.
Tuition is due before the start of the following term.
Students will be charged for each course as they progress through the program.
Students may enroll in a certificate program and only take program courses.
Students pursuing a degree must complete both program courses and general education courses.
No. There are no prerequisites or academic requirements other than completing the two-step application process.
Yes. Any prospective or current RCC student who has selected Cosmetology, Esthetician, or Barbering as their program of study may apply.
Students may enroll in general education courses before acceptance into the cosmetology program.
It is strongly recommended students meet with their educational resource advisor to avoid scheduling conflicts.
You can schedule an appointment by following this link.
You may also email wearecte@rcc.edu.
Cosmetology Kit/Books/Uniforms Questions
More information will be provided at orientation.
Students will purchase their kits approximately two weeks before the start of their program.
Payments are made directly to vendors for the kits and not to the college or program. There is no grace period or payment plans.
The kit company usually provides an invoice to distribute to students when the kits are delivered.
Textbooks, workbooks, and theory books are required daily.
Workbooks and theory books must be new/unused.
Textbooks can be new, used, or rented.
More information will be provided at orientation.
Physical copies of textbooks are required for classroom use.
Students can purchase uniforms from any supply dealer or online.
Uniform requirements are discussed at orientation and again on the first day of class. RCC recommends that students wait for the first day of class if they have questions about uniform requirements before wearing them.
Cosmetology Uniform:
- Unaltered solid black scrubs
- Shirt must be V-neck, one vest pocket, and unisex style (example provided at orientation)
- Pants must also be unisex style
- Complete scrubs (pants and shirt) must be worn together at all times
- Scrub pant hems must be appropriate length and not drag
Esthetician Uniform:
- Unaltered pewter (charcoal gray) scrubs
- Shirt must be V-neck, one vest pocket, and unisex style (example provided at orientation)
- Complete scrubs (pants and shirt) must be worn together at all times
- Scrub pant hems must be appropriate length and not drag
Barbering Uniform:
- Unaltered solid black scrubs
- Shirt must be V-neck, one vest pocket, and unisex style (example provided at orientation)
- Pants must also be unisex style
- Complete scrubs (pants and shirt) must be worn together at all times
- Scrub pant hems must be appropriate length and not drag
Shoe Requirements
Cosmetology and Barbering Students:
- Solid black, completely enclosed leather shoes
- Rubber soles required
- Heels must not exceed 1½ inches in height
- Black full-length socks required
Esthetician Students:
- Solid white, completely enclosed leather shoes
- Rubber soles required
- Heels must not exceed 1½ inches in height
- White full-length socks required
