Esthetician Program

This program is approved by
Board of Barbering and Cosmetology
2420 Del Paseo Road Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 94244-2260

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Dear Future Beauty Professionals,

Fall 2025 Enrollment is closed for ALL programs.  Prospective students that were issued add codes, but are having difficulties enrolling please email: [email protected].

We are currently preparing for Spring 2026 enrollment. Please follow the enrollment guidelines as stated below:

Enrollment Process

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.

Know Before You Go!

Fall 2025 First Day of Class Guideline:

• Bring your books and kit unopened
• Wear the prescribed uniform for your program
• Cosmo – Black, Nail Tech – Maroon, Esthetician – Grey
• Check your student email in the college portal before you attend class for additional instructions, extra supplies and the course syllabi from your instructors

 

Welcome to the Esthetician Program 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 to becoming a beauty professional at City College School of Cosmetology.

The Esthetician program consists of two (2) eight week sessions and requires 600 clocked hours to complete the program. Upon completion students will receive the proof of training document required to take the California State Board examination. This program is designed to provide entry level skills to students interested in a career of skin care. The state of California requires that persons enrolling in the Esthetician program must be at least sixteen years of age. 

 

Welcome!

You Belong Here…

 

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 for the Fall 2025 semester (October 22, 2025 - December 19, 2025). 

Hair: Friday 9:00AM - 2:00PM 

Skincare: Wednesday - Friday 9:00AM - 2:00PM

Nails: Wednesday - Friday 9:00AM - 12:00PM

Cashless Payments Only!

All Major Cards and Digital Payments Are Accepted

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 Technician Program course are only offered at the start of the Fall and Spring semesters. 

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

Tuition Cost

The Esthetics cost and registration fees are as follows:

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

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

Books & Kit Estimate

Prices are subject to change semester to semester. Please contact the bookstore for more accurate pricing.

$525.00 - Esthetics Kit  

$400.00 - Milady Standard Fundamentals Esthetics w/Cima Course Package  

= 925.00 (Estimated Total) 

Virtual Information Session Dates for Spring 2026

All Virtual Information Sessions and In-Person Orientations for the Fall 2025 cohorts have concluded.

Virtual Information Session Dates for Spring 2026 Cohorts 

Esthetics & Nail Technician Programs Only  

• September 25th, October 16th, November 20th  
• Time: 3:30pm  

In-person orientation & permission code lottery attendance is by invite only. Dates will be announced after all virtual sessions are completed.  

Attendance of one of the above virtual information sessions, followed by our mandatory in-person orientation, is required to complete the enrollment process.  

** Please only click on the zoom meeting link 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time to avoid technical errors **  

https://sdccd-edu.zoom.us/j/85747112167?pwd=yrjAWYLIbJuUBhd619JxbQ7EMBNjND.1

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 eligable 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 [email protected] 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 ([email protected]) 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 FAFSA. 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: [email protected] 

ALL PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS:

1. You must attend (1) one virtual information session and mandatory orientation to receive program permission code. 

2. Upon receipt of the permission code the student will need to register and pay for their course ASAP. Unused permission codes will be given out to those who did not receive one after orientation day, until all courses are filled.

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

4. Esthetics will have (2) two cohorts per year (1) one in the fall & (1) one in the spring.

5. Students seeking an Associates Degree are encouraged to take transferable general elective course before or after the cosmetology or esthetic course work.

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

Please contact our Outreach Department at [email protected] to schedule High School Tours of our department or request a school visit as we participate in the "Workforce Wednesday" program.

We provide you with every opportunity to succeed in the training program at San Diego City College and to increase your opportunity for successfully passing the California's State Board licensing exam.

Contacts

Please contact us at [email protected] 

Course Catalog Description

Click here for course description from Catalog