Cosmetology Department

 

All programs are approved by the
Board of Barbering and Cosmetology 
2420 Del Paseo Road Suite 100 
Sacramento, CA 94244-2260

 

Dear Future Beauty Professionals

Welcome to the Cosmetology Department at San Diego City College,

Patricia S. Grooms Jones, Prof.

Program Director/Department Chair

 

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. Visit a Counselor to:
   1. Declare your interest in Cosmetology as your major/course of study
   2. Create an Education Plan. This is needed to graduate.
3. Optional: Apply for FAFSA and PELL Grants. For questions, please contact the Financial Aid Department. 
4. Attend ONE of the three available Virtual Information Sessions to request an invitation to the in-person orientation. 
5. 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.

 

For Fall 2026:

ALL VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSIONS HAVE CONCLUDED FOR THE FALL 2026 SEMESTER

Invitations to the In-Person Orientation have been sent to all students on our email list. Be sure to check your spam or junk folders.

If you have not received an invitation or believe there may be an error, contact us immediately:

[email protected] or at 619-388-4926.

For Spring 2027:

Check back in August for the new Virtual Information Session dates and times.

 

Programs Offered

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	Coming Fall 2027	Coming Fall 2027	Coming Fall 2027
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 achievement 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~

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

 

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 (60 hours) completed prior to the in-person orientation for the session you would like to attend to be eligible for saved spot. Click here for the Associates Degree requirements.

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***

Student Laboratory 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

Student Laboratory Services for the Spring 2026 semester.

Skincare: Wednesday - Friday | 9:00AM - 2:00PM | Starts 2/6/2026

Hair: Friday | 9:00AM - 1:00PM | Starts 2/13/2026

Nails: Wednesday - Friday | 9:00AM - 12:00PM | Starts 4/6/2026

Cashless Payments Only! 

All Major Cards and Digital Payments Are Accepted

Please see our Student Laboratory Services Page for further details.

 

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:[email protected]

Counseling Services 

Office in A-366 

619-388-3540 

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

City College Bookstore 

D Building 

619-388-3549 

https://www.bookstore.sdccd.edu/city/  

Transcript Evaluations: 

Office A-366  

619-388-3549 

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

Admissions 

619-388-3475 

[email protected] 

https://www.sdcity.edu/future-students/admissions/index.aspx 

Tutoring Services 

L-205 

(619) 388-3685 

https://www.sdcity.edu/academics/academic-resources/tutoring/index.aspx 

International Student Admissions 

A-241 

(619) 388-3476 

https://www.sdcity.edu/students/international/index.aspx 

English Language Acquisition 

Professor Jennifer Boots (Dept. Chair) 

[email protected] 

https://www.sdcity.edu/academics/schools-programs/arts-humanities-comms/english/elac/index.aspx 

Basic Needs 

T-341 

619-388-3684 

[email protected] 

https://www.sdcity.edu/students/services/basic-needs/index.aspx 

 

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 619-388-4926

 

San Diego City College School Tours & Orientations

Contact the College Outreach Program for more information

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 619-388-3496

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Department of Cosmetology

Outreach Event Requests

If you would like to request the cosmetology team come to an outreach event, we would love to hear about the opportunity below.

Email: [email protected]

 

Phone: 619-388-8743

Please visit our Student Laboratory Services page for hours of opperation.

We do NOT accept any form of CASH payment!

You do not need to make an appointment for services.