Nail Technician 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,
Spring 2025 Enrollment is closed for ALL programs. Prospective students that were issued add codes, but are having difficulties enrolling please email: citycosmoenroll@sdccd.edu.
We are currently preparing for Fall 2025 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 at least one semester before the one you would like to attend.
- All students must apply for admission to the college and obtain a student identification number
- Declare your interest in Cosmetology as your course of study. Admission is restricted and requires a permission code (see step 6)
- Apply for FASA and PELL Grants
- Visit a Counselor
- Attend ONE of the three available virtual information sessions to request an invitation to the in-person orientation.
- It is mandatory to attend in-person orientation to enroll into the 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 for the issuance of permission codes.
If selected for your program’s session, you will receive a follow-up email with next steps.
Virtual Information session dates for the Fall 2025 Esthetics or Nail Tech programs will be held on the following dates: Februrary 27, 2025; March 27, 2025 & April 24th, 2025.
For more details, please see the Virtual Information Session Dates section further down.
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 – white
- 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!
You Belong Here…
Welcome to the Nail Technician 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 acheivement 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 attritbutes 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 Nail Technician program gives our students a in-depth education about nail care. Our curriculum will give our students real world training along with preparing them for the state board licensing exam. Students will learn about manicures, pedicures, acrylics, gel x and much more.
The program is full time Lab/Lecture Monday- Friday from 8:00-3:15 on campus in the V Building
The Nail Techician program takes one semester to complete and consists of two 8-week sessions, requires 400 clocked hours and 11 units to complete.
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 licenesed 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 | Two Semesters | Full Time: M-F 8:30am-3:30pm |
| Esthetics | 600 Hours | One Semester | Full Time: M-F 8am-4:30pm |
| Nail Technician | 400 Hours | One Semester | 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 cetificate of acheivement and proof of training document, which is necessary to peition the California State Board for the state licensing examination.
Tuition Cost
The Nail Technician cost and registration fees are as follows:
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~
Books & Kit Estimate
Prices are subject to change semester to semester. Please contact the bookstore for more accurate pricing.
$400.00 - Milady Standard Nail Tech Bundle w/Cima Course Package (Required)
$120.00 - Manicurist Kit (Required)
= $520.00 (Estimated Total)
Associate's Degree
We offer an assoicate's degree option with our Cosmetology and Esthetician programs. Please meet with a counselor to create an educational plan today!
Schedule your counseling appointment by contacting: Couseling Department www.sdcity.edu/students/counseling/meet-counselor.aspx
San Diego City College Counseling Department
Location: Building A
Office A-366
Phone: (619) 388-3540
Virtual Information Session Dates for Fall '25
Cosmetology, Esthetics & Nail Tech
February 27, 2025; March 27, 2025 & April 24, 2025
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 in order to avoid technical errors **
https://sdccd-edu.zoom.us/j/87199076800?pwd=RemFpteqwMRpQjDZSOzG3aFZ9DN0FJ.1
Meeting ID: 871 9907 6800
Passcode: 927610
One tap mobile
+16694449171,,87199076800# US
+16699006833,,87199076800# US (San Jose) Meeting ID: 871 9907 6800
Passcode: 927610
One tap mobile
+16694449171,,87199076800# US
+16699006833,,87199076800# US (San Jose) Meeting ID: 871 9907 6800
Passcode: 927610
One tap mobile
+16694449171,,87199076800# US
+16699006833,,87199076800# US (San Jose) Meeting ID: 871 9907 6800
Passcode: 927610
One tap mobile
+16694449171,,87199076800# US
+16699006833,,87199076800# US (San Jose)
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 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 CityOutreach@sdccd.edu 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 citycosmoenroll@sdccd.edu