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.

How to Apply

Contact Information

Lorena Franco, Educational Advisor
Lorena.Franco@rcc.edu
(951) 222-8624

Cosmetology Department
CosmoAppointment@rcc.edu

(951) 222-8182 

*Please direct general inquiries to your educational advisor

Barbering Concepts
CE
Major Units
47.5-64.5
Typical Time to Completion
2-3 years

Program Requirements

(Not currently offered) 

Cosmetology
AS
CE
Major Units
47.5
Typical Time to Completion
2 years
Program Requirements
Cosmetology Concepts
CE
Major Units
53-70
Typical Time to Completion
2-3 years

Program Requirements

(Not currently offered) 

Cosmetology Instructor Training
CE
Major Units
15
Typical Time to Completion
1 year
Program Requirements
Esthetician
CE
Major Units
20
Typical Time to Completion
8 months
Program Requirements
Esthetician Concepts
CE
Major Units
30-50.5
Typical Time to Completion
2 years

Program Requirements

(Not currently offered) 

Hairstyling Concepts
CE
Major Units
40-57.5
Typical Time to Completion
2-3 years

Program Requirements

(Not currently offered) 

Manicuring Concepts
CE
Major Units
24-41
Typical Time to Completion
2 years

Program Requirements

(Not currently offered) 

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

The application for acceptance to the Cosmetology and Esthetician Programs is a two application process. Follow the steps below to apply for RCC’s Cosmetology or 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:

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 2023- Monday, March 20-Sunday, March 26, 2023
  • Fall 2023- Monday, June 19 – Sunday, June 25, 2023
  • Spring 2024- Monday, October 16 – Sunday, October 22, 2023

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

In addition to tuition and fees, students are required to purchase the following items. The approximate costs for Fall 2022 are listed below. All prices are subject to change. All students are encouraged to apply for financial aid and more information will be provided at the program orientation.

Cosmetology:  

  • 2 Cosmetology Kits- The first kit is approximately $1,103.65 and must be purchased the week before classes start. The second kit is approximately $931.50 and must be purchased in the second class of the cohort. All costs are subject to change. 
  • 2 Textbooks- total cost for both is approximately $375. All costs are subject to change. 
  • 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 kits – total cost is approximately $2,200.00. All costs are subject to change. 
  • 2 textbooks – total cost for both is approximately $390.00. All costs are subject to change. 
  • 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. 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN RCC’S COSMETOLOGY AND ESTHETICIAN PROGRAMS!